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
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
- Increase operational productivity
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
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
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.
Official resources
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.
Selection criteria
- Submission of up-to-date financial statements and supporting documentation for project and business viability analysis.
- Assessment by NexDev business advisors for compliance with fund objectives and requirements.
- Evaluation by the Common Investment Committee (CIC) and select advisors for project selection.
How to apply
- Step 1: Contact NexDev
- Communicate with the NexDev Business Services to obtain support and additional information regarding the request.
- Step 2: Preparation of the project file
- Gather the necessary documents for the analysis, such as up-to-date financial statements and any documentation proving the project's feasibility.
- Ensure that the project meets productivity requirements and adopts digital practices.
- Step 3: Submission of the application online
- Fill out the application form specifically available for this fund.
- Attach all required supporting documents to the application.
- Submit the project within the given deadlines (before the set deadline).
- Step 4: Analysis and selection
- The NexDev investment committee evaluates the request and may request additional documents if necessary.
- Step 5: Decision and follow-up
- Receive the decision regarding the selection of the project on the scheduled announcement date.
- If the request is accepted, provide all eligible invoices after the complete execution of the project to obtain the disbursement of financial assistance.
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
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 the province of 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