SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF)

• Completed and signed application form
• Business plan or detailed project description
• Detailed project expense breakdown
• Financial statements for the last three years
• Projected financial statements

Who is eligible?

• For-profit SMEs
• Social economy enterprises
• Cooperatives
• Non-profit organizations under the social economy framework

Who is not eligible

• Businesses in pre-startup phase
• Companies involved in controversial weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, or tobacco/drug-related activities
• Real estate development businesses
• Government-owned or government-controlled entities

Eligible expenses

• Working capital for up to 24 months in certain projects
• Direct project capital costs, including equipment and facility-related investments
• Professional fees before or during the project
• Business acquisition costs and transaction-related professional fees

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Expenses incurred before the application is submitted
• Debt service and repayment of future loans
• Transactions between related businesses or partners
• Research and development expenses
• Normal operating expenses and Quebec sales taxes

Eligible geographic areas

• MRC des Appalaches
• Thetford region, Quebec

• Economic viability and repayment capacity
• Promoters’ experience and management skills
• Environmental and social benefits
• Alignment with MRC priorities
• Participation of other financiers

• Step 1: Prepare the application
  • Complete the application form.
  • Prepare the business plan or detailed project description.
  • Gather the financial statements and supporting project documents.
• Step 2: Submit to the MRC
  • Send the full application package to the MRC managing the funds.
  • Provide any additional documents requested by the MRC.
• Step 3: Review and decision
  • The MRC reviews admissibility, analyzes the file, and makes a decision.
  • If approved, the loan agreement is prepared.

• Applications are reviewed continuously once all required information and documents are provided.
• Admissibility, analysis, and decision are handled by the MRC.
• The applicant may receive a one-year interest holiday on selected projects.
• Loan contracts include the combined loan amount and weighted interest rate.
• Early repayment is possible under the loan agreement.

• The SDE region de Thetford offers free guidance and professional support throughout the grant application process.
• Mentorship and coaching services are available to entrepreneurs for business planning and strategic development.
• Technical support is provided alongside financial assistance to help applicants succeed in their business ventures.
• The SDE collaborates with a network of local and regional partners to facilitate business growth and integration into the local economy.