Closed
Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices
Financial support for rural businesses advancing automation and digitalization
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000 - $ 5,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Montérégie, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices provides up to $5,000 in non-repayable financial support to rural businesses in the Haut-Richelieu region to accelerate automation and the adoption of digital practices. Eligible activities include acquiring productivity-enhancing equipment, software, professional services for implementation and training, and feasibility studies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Montérégie
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Implementation of automation technologies to improve productivity.
- Adoption of digital practices within business operations.
- Installation of productivity-enhancing equipment.
- Integration of new software solutions for business improvements.
- Projects that generate a positive impact on the local rural community through technological advancement.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Industrial companies
- Commercial enterprises
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
Who is not eligible
- Companies based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of equipment that increases productivity.
- Renovations required for installing eligible equipment.
- Purchase of software that results in productivity gains.
- Professional fees for software implementation.
- Professional fees for employee training on the new equipment or software (if not covered by Services Québec).
- Software rental fees for the first two years only.
- Professional engineering fees for designing custom automated equipment.
- Feasibility studies or option analyses related to the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies located in one of the 13 rural municipalities within the MRC du Haut-Richelieu, excluding those based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Additional information
- The annual eligibility rules for this fund may be revised based on the volume of grants awarded.
- NexDev reserves the right to use the beneficiary company's name for promotional purposes and to highlight community impacts.
- Funding is available only until the allocated envelope is depleted.
- All admissible expenses must be incurred after confirmation of eligibility.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices?
The Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices provides up to $5,000 in non-repayable financial support to rural businesses in the Haut-Richelieu region to accelerate automation and the adoption of digital practices. Eligible activities include acquiring productivity-enhancing equipment, software, professional services for implementation and training, and feasibility studies.
How much funding can be received?
Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices program?
To be eligible for the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices program, you must:
Must be an industrial, commercial business, or non-profit organization (NPO)
Must be located in one of the 13 rural municipalities of the Haut-Richelieu, excluding Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Project must focus on acquiring digital equipment and/or automation to improve productivity
What expenses are eligible under Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices?
Implementation of automation technologies to improve productivity.
Adoption of digital practices within business operations.
Installation of productivity-enhancing equipment.
Integration of new software solutions for business improvements.
Projects that generate a positive impact on the local rural community through technological advancement.
Who can I contact for more information about the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices?
You can contact NexDev | Haut-Richelieu Economic Development by email at grangerf@nexdev.ca or by phone at 4503599999.
Where is the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices available?
The Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices program is available Montérégie, Quebec.
Is the Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices is a Grant and Funding