Productivity - Small commercial companies
QC, Canada
The "Productivity – Small Commercial Businesses" grant offers financial support to retail stores, restaurants, and tourist service companies to address labor shortages through the acquisition of productivity-enhancing equipment and technology.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 23, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateMay 31, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Quebec City
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant aims to support retail businesses, restaurants, and companies offering services to tourists in overcoming labor recruitment challenges by acquiring production, operational equipment, or technologies that improve productivity. Eligible activities include purchasing new or used equipment, professional fees, and installation or training costs, with financial support covering up to $25,000 per project for up to 35% of eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are several projects and activities eligible for this grant, primarily focused on acquiring equipment to improve productivity and address workforce challenges for small retail businesses, restaurants, and tourism service providers.
- Purchase of new or used equipment to improve production or operations
- Acquisition of technologies to enhance business efficiency
- Acquisition of automatic checkout systems for retail businesses
- Professional fees, consultancy services, and studies related to the project
- Installation and training costs for new equipment
- Subscription fees for technology solutions for up to 12 months
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$25,000
Vancouver
Purchase mobile payment terminals to facilitate quick transactions in a Vancouver food truck
$25,000
Montreal
Purchase automated ordering kiosks to streamline customer flow in a busy downtown restaurant
$25,000
Vancouver
Implement a CRM system to enhance customer relationship management for a tourism company
$25,000
Calgary
Upgrade kitchen equipment to improve efficiency in a popular Calgary bakery
$25,000
Toronto
Install automated checkout systems in a busy Toronto retail store to improve customer flow
$17,500
Quebec City
Acquire advanced digital marketing tools to enhance online visibility for a tourism company
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant aims to support small retail businesses, restaurants, and tourism service providers in improving productivity and addressing labor challenges.
- Private incorporated businesses
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) with a majority of commercial activities
- Franchises with five or fewer establishments based in Québec
- Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Individual businesses and partnerships owned primarily by Indigenous people located in Wendake
- The project must involve the acquisition of production, operational, or technological equipment
- The project must demonstrate an increase in productivity and address labor issues
- Businesses must be based in the agglomeration of Québec or Wendake
- Minimum project cost of $15,000
- Only one contribution per year per business
- Maximum active financing of $500,000 over two years for all economic development funding programs from the City of Québec
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The grant is designed to support specific businesses in the retail, restaurant, and tourism service sectors to overcome workforce challenges through the acquisition of productivity-enhancing equipment or technologies.
- Private incorporated companies
- Social economy enterprises (non-profits and cooperatives) with predominantly commercial activities
- Franchises with five (5) establishments or less having their head office in Quebec
- Companies with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
- Vehicle dealerships
- Auto parts retailers
- Gas stations
- Collaborative tourist accommodations (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away)
- Purely online businesses
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) that do not demonstrate sound democratic governance
- Applicants not cleared from a bankruptcy judgment
- Companies listed on the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts
- Applicants who failed to meet obligations from a previous grant from the City of Quebec within the last two years
- Applicants with outstanding debts to the City of Quebec
- Projects with discriminatory nature, controversy, or negative image risk for the City of Quebec
- One-time event-based projects
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant covers eligible expenses that are directly related to the completion of the project and aim to contribute to its success.
- Salaries and benefits for project staff
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Consulting and professional services
- Equipment and supplies
- Marketing and promotional activities
- Training and development
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are within the Agglomeration of Québec, specifically including the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L'Ancienne-Lorette, and Wendake.
- Québec
- Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
- L'Ancienne-Lorette
- Wendake
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant for small commercial businesses includes specific evaluation and selection criteria to determine the eligibility and feasibility of the proposed projects. These criteria focus on the demonstration of productivity improvement, response to labor challenges, financial capacity, and overall project viability.
- Demonstration of the increase in productivity and addressing of labor issues
- Financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project and achieve objectives
- Viability and coherence of the submitted project (including the relevance of the project, realism of the financial plan, and involved partners)
- Demonstration of problems resolved by the project
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Confirm that your business entity meets the eligibility criteria (e.g., incorporated private enterprise, social economy enterprise, franchise with five establishments or fewer, 50 employees or less).
- Verify that your business operates within the specified sectors (retail, restaurant, tourist services) and is located in the specified areas (Québec agglomeration or Wendake).
- Step 2: Define Project Scope
- Identify the equipment, technology, or services required to address labor recruitment issues and enhance productivity.
- Ensure the project meets the minimum expenditure threshold of $15,000 and aligns with the grant's objectives.
- Step 3: Collect Required Documentation
- Prepare the necessary financial documents and project details demonstrating the financial capacity and viability of the project.
- Gather professional estimates or quotes for the equipment, technology, or services you intend to acquire.
- Step 4: Complete the Application Form
- Download the application form (PDF: 140 Ko) from the specified link.
- Fill out the form with accurate and comprehensive information regarding your business, project scope, financials, and expected outcomes.
- Step 5: Submit the Application
- Compile the completed application form and all supporting documents.
- Submit the application before the deadline, ensuring all documents are in compliance with the requirements specified in the form.
- Step 6: Await Evaluation and Decision
- The municipal authorities will review the submitted application to assess its eligibility, financial feasibility, and projected impact on productivity and labor issues.
- Wait for a response from the authorities regarding the status of your application.
- Step 7: Follow-Up
- If approved, comply with any follow-up requirements, including potential site visits by the city to verify the efficiency of the acquired equipment or technology.
- Ensure that you meet the ongoing conditions such as maintaining the business operations within the specified region.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This grant aims to assist retail businesses, restaurants, and tourist service providers in overcoming labor recruitment challenges by funding the acquisition of equipment or technologies to improve productivity.
- Eligibility is limited to private incorporated businesses, social economy enterprises, and franchises with a maximum of five establishments.
- The maximum financial contribution is $25,000 per project, covering up to 35% of eligible expenses.
- The equipment or technology acquired must address productivity and labor issues, with the city reserving the right to inspect for efficiency within 12 months post-grant.
Apply to this program
Grant for Small Commercial Enterprises to Improve Workforce Productivity
This grant provides financial contributions to support retail stores, restaurants, and businesses catering to tourists in acquiring equipment and technology that enhance productivity and address labor shortages. Eligible projects can receive up to $25,000, covering a maximum of 35% of the total admissible expenses.
Comprehensive Guide to the Productivity-Enhancing Grant for Small Commercial Enterprises
In today's dynamic business environment, small commercial enterprises face numerous challenges, particularly in the areas of workforce recruitment and productivity. Recognizing these challenges, the City of Québec has introduced a targeted grant aimed at supporting retail, restaurant, and tourism-related businesses. This grant helps these enterprises acquire the necessary tools and technologies to mitigate labor shortages and boost productivity. Here’s an in-depth look into the particulars of this grant, including eligibility criteria, admissible expenses, application guidelines, and more.
Objective of the Grant
The primary objective of the grant is to provide monetary support to small commercial enterprises struggling with workforce recruitment. This is achieved by subsidizing the acquisition of production, operational equipment, or technologies that can significantly enhance productivity. The grant focuses on projects with a budget ranging from $15,000 to $75,000, with a maximum financial contribution of $25,000 per project. This contribution covers up to 35% of the admissible expenses, providing substantial financial relief to small businesses aiming to modernize their operations.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
To qualify for this grant, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Private incorporated businesses
- Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) engaged predominantly in commercial activities
- Franchises with five (5) establishments or fewer, headquartered in Québec
- Enterprises employing 50 full-time equivalent employees or fewer
Additionally, individual enterprises and partnerships owned primarily by Indigenous individuals and located within Wendake are also considered eligible for the grant.
Ineligible Applicants
The following applicants are excluded from applying for the grant:
- Vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, gas stations, and collaborative tourist lodgings (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away)
- Businesses operating solely online
- Social economy enterprises failing to demonstrate sound democratic governance
- Applicants under a bankruptcy judgment
- Businesses listed in the Register of Ineligible Businesses for Public Contracts
- Applicants who failed to meet previous financial aid obligations to the City of Québec within the past two years
- Applicants with unpaid dues to the City of Québec
- Projects of a discriminatory nature or those posing a risk of negative public image for the City of Québec
- Event-based temporary projects
Eligible Sectors
The grant targets businesses within the retail, restaurant, and hospitality sectors that provide services to tourists visiting the Québec agglomeration. This includes both leisure and business tourism. Projects must be conducted within the agglomeration of Québec, encompassing the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette, as well as Wendake.
Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
Eligible Expenses
The grant covers a range of expenses related to the acquisition of equipment and technology, including:
- Purchase of new or used equipment and technologies from recognized suppliers
- Professional fees, consultancy services, and studies directly related to the project
- Installation costs of the equipment
- Training costs related to the new equipment or technology
- Subscription fees for technology, limited to a maximum of 12 months
Ineligible Expenses
Certain expenses are not covered by the grant. These include:
- Costs for leasehold improvements related to equipment installation
- Regular operational financing
- Charitable activities funding and payments to volunteers
- Debt payments or loan reimbursements
- Replacement of existing government support programs
- Expenses incurred before the submission of a complete and compliant application
- Costs related to relocating the business or part of its production outside the Québec agglomeration, unless expressly approved by the City of Québec
- The recoverable portion of GST and QST
Application Process
Businesses interested in applying for the grant must submit a complete application form, available in PDF format, detailing their project and how it meets the grant's objectives. The application must include:
- A demonstration of how the project will enhance productivity and address workforce challenges
- Evidence of the applicant's financial capacity to complete the project and achieve its goals
- A credible and coherent project proposal outlining the relevance of the project, financial structure, and involved partners
- An explanation of the issues that the project will resolve
It’s important to note that each enterprise can receive one grant per year, with a maximum funding limit of $500,000 over two years for all economic development programs in the City of Québec. Additionally, the City reserves the right to conduct site visits within 12 months following the grant issuance to verify the effectiveness of the purchased equipment or technology.
Benefits of the Grant
This grant provides several key benefits to small commercial enterprises, including:
- Financial assistance that reduces the burden of acquiring modern equipment and technology
- Enhanced productivity through the adoption of efficient, up-to-date tools
- Mitigation of labor shortages by automating or streamlining certain operations
- Support for sustainable business growth and competitive advantage in the market
Conclusion
The grant for small commercial enterprises in Québec is a valuable opportunity for businesses in the retail, restaurant, and tourism sectors to enhance their productivity and overcome workforce challenges. By providing financial support for the acquisition of necessary equipment and technologies, the grant helps these enterprises modernize their operations, ultimately leading to sustained growth and competitiveness.
The application period for the grant is currently open, and interested businesses are encouraged to submit their applications promptly to take full advantage of this supportive initiative by the City of Québec. By meeting the eligibility criteria and adhering to the specified guidelines, small commercial enterprises can secure significant financial aid, paving the way for a more productive and prosperous future.
