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SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF)
Business financing for growth and succession in Thetford
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 300,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec, Canada
Overview
Fonds local d’investissement (FLI) / Fonds local de solidarité (FLS) des Appalaches support business projects in the MRC des Appalaches through loans and investment capital. The program covers start-up, productivity improvement, digital transformation, sustainable practices, growth, expansion, acquisition, financing gaps, and business turnarounds.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase operational productivity
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Chaudière-Appalaches
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business start-up
- Business transfer and succession
- Productivity improvement and digital transformation
- Business growth and expansion
- Temporary financing and turnaround projects under FLS
Documents Needed
- 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
Eligibility
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
Processing and Agreement
- 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.
Additional information
- 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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) Program
What is the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF)?
Fonds local d’investissement (FLI) / Fonds local de solidarité (FLS) des Appalaches support business projects in the MRC des Appalaches through loans and investment capital. The program covers start-up, productivity improvement, digital transformation, sustainable practices, growth, expansion, acquisition, financing gaps, and business turnarounds.
How much funding can be received?
SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $300,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) program?
To be eligible for the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) program, you must:
Must be an enterprise in the MRC des Appalaches
Activities must align with the investment policy of the regional county municipality
Certain activities are excluded
What expenses are eligible under SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF)?
Business start-up
Business transfer and succession
Productivity improvement and digital transformation
Business growth and expansion
Temporary financing and turnaround projects under FLS
Who can I contact for more information about the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF)?
You can contact Thetford Region Economic Development Corporation by email at info@regionthetford.com or by phone at (418) 338-2188.
Where is the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) available?
The SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) program is available Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec.
Is the SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
SDE Thetford — Local Investment Fund (LIF) is a Loans and Capital investments