Closed
Rural Vitality Fund – Automation and Digital Practices
Financial support for rural businesses advancing automation and digitalization
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 1,000 - $ 5,000
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- 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.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $5,000
- Minimum funding
- $1,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 10%
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Increase operational productivity
- Optimize production processes
- Develop workforce skills
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Montérégie
- Quebec
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
- Legal structures
- For-profit business, Non-profit
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Official sources
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?
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.
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