MRC Témiscouata — Signature Innovation Fund - Component 3 - Rurality and Region Fund
Overview
The grant is part of the "Signature innovation" program under the Région et Ruralité Fund, providing non-recurrent financing up to $218,798 per project for initiatives that enhance the MRC de Témiscouata's innovative leadership, particularly in the acériculture sector. Eligible activities include projects promoting innovation, production process improvements, and market expansion within the region.
At a glance
Funding available
- Integrate new technologies
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Develop employee skills
- Maximum amount : 218,798 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Open Date : November 24, 2021
- Closing date : December 31, 2024
Eligible candidates
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Témiscouata
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Quebec
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- All structures
- Municipal
- Regional
Activities funded
This grant program supports projects that align with the development goals of the MRC de Témiscouata. The eligible projects focus on boosting local economic activities, particularly in the acériculture sector, and enhancing productivity through innovation and strategic development.
- Support the enhancement of production processes through research and innovation.
- Encourage advanced stages of production and new product development.
- Support the export of maple products and related production equipment.
- Facilitate the development of training programs tailored to the acériculture industry.
- Improve communication and engagement with local enterprises and workers.
- Provide training support for personnel and management in the maple industry.
- Assist in the management and development of maple woodlands.
- Promote community collaboration in agriculture and maple production.
- Enhance technology access and productivity improvements.
- Develop new market opportunities for Témiscouata businesses.
- Improve the environmental footprint through energy transitions and waste reduction.
- Support innovative product transformations and shared resource initiatives.
- Address workforce shortages by promoting jobs and integrating maple industry roles into broader employment strategies.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by the profile of the promoters and their alignment with the specified sectors and organizations.
- The applicant must be a private or social economy enterprise, excluding enterprises in the financial sector.
- The applicant can be a municipality, municipal organization, regional community organization, MRC, or a band council of an Indigenous community covering the Témiscouata territory.
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and cooperatives are eligible, with the exception of financial cooperatives.
- Organizations from the education, culture, tourism, environment, and heritage sectors that cover all or part of the Témiscouata territory are eligible.
Who is eligible?
This fund is aimed at supporting innovative projects within the MRC Témiscouata region that align with local development priorities. Organizations eligible to apply for this funding should meet the set criteria relevant to their sector and geographical presence in Témiscouata.
- Private companies and social economy enterprises, excluding financial sector companies.
- Municipalities, municipal organizations, regional community organizations, MRCs, and band councils of Indigenous communities within Témiscouata.
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and cooperatives, with the exclusion of financial cooperatives.
- Educational, cultural, tourism, environmental, and heritage organizations operating within Témiscouata.
Who is not eligible
Certain types of companies and industries are not eligible for this grant due to specific restrictions on their status and main activity. These restrictions help ensure the funds support projects aligned with the grant's strategic objectives in the Témiscouata region.
- Financial sector companies, including but not limited to banks and investment firms.
- Cooperatives operating primarily as financial institutions.
Eligible expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the execution and success of the project.
- Salaries and wages of employees, interns, and other similar workers assigned to the project, including employer social charges and benefits. Only hours truly dedicated to the project are eligible.
- Costs of professional fees.
- Capital expenditures for assets such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, vehicles, incorporation costs, and other similar expenses.
- Acquisition of technologies, software or applications, patents, and other similar expenses.
- Working capital needs calculated for the first year of operation.
- The non-refundable portion of taxes.
- Other costs inherent to the development and execution of projects.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to companies and organizations situated in the specified geographical area of Témiscouata, within the MRC (Municipal Regional County) jurisdiction. The eligibility is explicitly designed to boost development initiatives within this unique regional setting.
- Témiscouata region under the Municipal Regional County (MRC) jurisdiction.
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the "Signature innovation" grant focus on ensuring that proposed initiatives are aligned with the strategic priorities and development goals of the MRC de Témiscouata while demonstrating potential impact and innovation.
- The project must align with the development priorities and plans of the MRC, including its land use plan and agricultural development plan.
- Projects should ideally yield a concrete impact on the community.
- Demonstration of positive effects on employment, regional economic activity, and revitalization of the territory in the short and medium term.
- The quality of the project's implementation plan, which should show credible links between steps, activities, resources mobilized, and targets aimed for.
- Level of innovation through new products (goods or services), improvement of manufacturing processes, new marketing strategies, or new organizational methods within the organization.
- A strong governance structure, clearly establishing relationships between partners, decision-making processes, and demonstrating the experience and training of the project director and the project implementation team.
How to apply
Eligibility Check
- Make sure that the project aligns with the priority development areas of the action plan.
- Check that your project meets the selection criteria as well as the eligibility of the fund.
Preparation of the application file
- Write a detailed project proposal, including the objectives, expected impacts, and sustainability of the project.
- Gather the necessary financial documents to assess the financial situation of the organization.
- Compile all required supporting documents demonstrating compliance with the terms set forth in the agreement.
Submission of the request
- Submit the application to the development service of the Témiscouata MRC.
- Ensure that the application is submitted within the deadlines for each submission period, according to the scheduled meetings of the steering committee.
Follow-up of the request
- Attend follow-up meetings, if necessary, to assess the progress of the application.
- Keep the MRC informed of any significant changes in the project after submission.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The maximum funding per project is not to exceed 218,798 $.
- Non-profit and municipal promoters are eligible for up to 80% funding of eligible expenses; however, they must contribute 10% as their share of the project cost.
- Private businesses can secure up to 50% financing for eligible project costs.
- There are specific rules for construction work, especially if it's contracted to a third party, which mandates adherence to the Law on Contracts of Public Bodies for public calls for tenders.
- The Fund offers non-reimbursable and non-recurring financial assistance.
- Projects must demonstrate innovation, such as introducing new products, improving production processes, or developing new marketing methods.
- Any promotional or public relations activities regarding the grant must credit the contribution of the Government of Quebec.
