Ville de La Tuque — RRF stream 3 - Innovation Signature

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business and location.

• The applicant must be a registered business in the Quebec enterprise register whose commercial building is located within the specified downtown area of La Tuque.
• Businesses and cooperatives in the financial sector, rooming houses, and places of worship are excluded unless the building is being repurposed for a non-religious use.
• For rented premises, the applicant must have prior written authorization from the property owner to renovate the façade.
• The business must not be involved in any legal disputes, judicial proceedings, or be listed in the Register of businesses not eligible for public contracts.
• The business must comply with current laws and regulations and should not have outstanding payments owed to municipalities within the agglomeration.
• The business must have a minimum cash contribution of 10% based on eligible expenses.
• The project must be supported by submission of all required documentation and collaboration with the city’s Economic and Forestry Development Service.
• Construction projects must be conducted by a contractor holding a valid RBQ license.

Who is eligible?

This grant aims to support projects related to the renovation of business facades in the center of La Tuque, promoting aesthetic improvements aligned with the locality's brand image. Eligible projects will be evaluated and selected based on various criteria focusing on the project's impact, financial structure, entrepreneurial profile, and the project's feasibility.

• Impact of the project on the building's appearance (Maximum 40 points): Projects responding positively to criteria may receive up to 40 points.
• Financial structure and feasibility of the project (Maximum 20 points): Includes complementary funding to existing funds, realistic cost projections, a 10% cash contribution from the promoter, and involvement of other partners.
• Entrepreneurial profile and management knowledge (Maximum 20 points): Points based on business tenure and management experience.
• Feasibility and coherence of the project (Maximum 20 points): Assessment of project viability and coherence, and the business's financial capacity to fulfil its financial commitments.

Who is not eligible

The grant has specific exclusions for certain companies and activities that are not eligible to apply. These restrictions ensure alignment with the broader objectives of revitalizing and strategically investing in the downtown area.

• Companies and cooperatives within the financial sector.
• Rooming houses.
• Places of worship, unless converted for non-religious purposes.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include construction and design-related costs that enhance the building's appearance.

• The costs for construction work that significantly improves the building's appearance.
• Professional fees for architects and/or engineers to create plans and specifications.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located in specified areas within the centre-ville of La Tuque. The targeted locations ensure that the funding efforts are concentrated to enhance the regional commercial infrastructure.

• North Limit: rue Saint-Joseph, both sides, including the south side of rue Saint-Georges.
• South Limit: rue Saint-François, both sides.
• East Limit: rue St-Louis, both sides.
• West Limit: rue Commerciale and rue Tessier.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure that projects effectively enhance the appearance, economic activity, and alignment with the objectives for La Tuque's downtown revitalization.

• Impact of the project: Maximum 40 points, assessed based on the significant enhancement to the building's appearance, alignment with La Tuque's new brand image, and the business's alignment with the strategic investment sectors of the La Tuque agglomeration.
• Financial structure and feasibility of the project: Total of 20 points, covering aspects such as the complementarity of the funding request with existing funds (5 points), the realistic projection of anticipated costs (5 points), a financial contribution of at least 10% from the project's promoter (5 points), and demonstrated contributions from other partners like financial institutions or development funds (5 points).
• Entrepreneur profile and business management experience: Up to 20 points, ranging from no experience to over five years of business operation and management expertise.
• Project feasibility: Total of 20 points, reviewing the financial stability and capacity of the business to meet its obligations (10 points) and coherence and clarity in the project's presentation (10 points).

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The aggregate investment for the project is $1,301,050, which includes the contribution from the Fonds régions et ruralité's Volet 3 and other sources.
• Unused funds for a given financial year can be forwarded to the subsequent year within the agreement's duration, ensuring flexibility in project execution.
• The agglomeration of La Tuque has an obligation to financially contribute a minimum of 20% to the project, which can include prior planning phase expenses dating back to April 20, 2022.
• A directorate committee must oversee the management and financial follow-up of the project, ensuring compliance with set protocols.
• Financial tasks may be contingent upon confirming the project's advancement at regular intervals as specified in the framework management document.