Open
Support for commercial arteries — Component 3 – Support for the operations and projects of a business association and commercial streets
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Financial support for business associations and commercial street projects
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Support for Commercial Arteries—Component 3 offers eligible business associations, cooperatives, and commercial development corporations in the Québec agglomeration up to $150,000 per year for projects and up to $100,000 per year for operating costs. This program aims to finance initiatives and operations that generate commercial sector activity, including animation, promotion, development, and related expenses.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications
- Selling in a new market
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 65% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec City
- Capitale-Nationale
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
Activities funded
- Implementation of urban animation and promotional programming aimed at increasing visitor traffic to commercial sectors.
- Development and execution of projects that promote or enhance local commercial streets and business districts.
- Community events or activities designed for the general public, offered free of charge.
- Initiatives supporting improved visibility and outreach of business associations or commercial streets.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a business association or a commercial development corporation (SDC) located within the Québec agglomeration (Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, or L’Ancienne-Lorette).
- Business associations must represent at least fifteen (15) business establishments located on the same commercial street or within the same commercial sector.
- The project must be supported and carried out by a business association or non-profit organization operating on a commercial artery.
- The proposed project should have a realistic chance of implementation, considering the applicant organization's financial and human resources.
- The project must align with the annual action plan and governance framework of the applicant organization.
Who is eligible?
- Business development corporations (Sociétés de développement commercial) located in the Québec agglomeration
- Associations of businesspeople located in the Québec agglomeration representing at least fifteen business establishments on the same commercial street or within the same commercial sector
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that are not a recognized business association or a commercial development corporation located in the Québec City agglomeration.
- Business associations that submit a project within another association's territory without consent.
- Applicants whose projects compete with existing, authorized activities on another commercial artery or organized by a third party as authorized by the City.
- Organizations proposing projects deemed controversial by competent authorities, or that could unreasonably associate the City of Québec's name with controversy.
Eligible expenses
- Rent expenses
- Salaries for personnel
- Professional fees (e.g., accounting or project-related consultants)
- Telecommunications expenses
- Insurance costs
- Permit fees
- Purchase or rental of equipment and assets related to animation, promotion, or development projects
- Promotion and advertising expenses
- Other implementation costs directly related to animation, promotion, or development projects
Eligible geographic areas
- Agglomeration of Québec (including Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette)
Selection criteria
- Expected impact on commercial traffic and sector development.
- Contribution to urban activity and animation in the Québec agglomeration.
- Enhancement of the commercial sector’s visibility to various clienteles.
- Level of stakeholder and business involvement, including the number supporting and financially contributing to the projects.
- Efforts towards more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
- Balanced budget distribution between municipal grants and other funding sources, and consistency between the action plan and annual budget.
How to apply
1
Check eligibility requirements
- Verify if your organization is a Commercial Development Corporation (SDC) or a business association located in the Québec urban agglomeration
- Ensure your association represents at least fifteen businesses on the same commercial street or sector
- Review the list of excluded projects and organizations
2
Develop the project proposal
- Prepare a project that is supported by an eligible business association or non-profit
- Ensure the project aligns with the annual action plan and sector vision
- Include a programming plan showing potential to increase traffic in the area
- Demonstrate realistic project feasibility based on your organization’s financial and human capacity
- If applicable, plan for public and free urban animation activities
3
Gather required documentation
- Prepare the required application form provided by the grantor
- Complete the appropriate budget template based on your organization type (business association, cooperative, or SDC)
- Collect all relevant supporting documents
4
Review and validate application
- Review all forms and documents for accuracy and completeness
- Ensure the project plan and budget are consistent and realistic
- Validate alignment with eligible expenses and program criteria
5
Submit the application
- Submit the completed application form and all required documents to the grant administrator
- Ensure submission is made before published deadlines
6
Wait for results
- Await notification regarding the status of your application
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested during the review process
Additional information
- The annual action plan must align with the project’s objectives and submitted budget.
- Urban animation programming must include a free, public component.
- The decision regarding whether an activity is controversial rests with the competent authorities of the Ville de Québec.
