Resources for Business
As a business owner it's easy to feel overwhelmed or isolated.
Yet, the truth is that you're far from alone!
An abundance of resources, support networks, and opportunities are at your fingertips, waiting to propel your business to new heights. Whether you're seeking financial assistance through grants and loans, looking to amplify your brand with the latest marketing strategies, or are eager to upskill with educational platforms, there's a world of possibilities out there.
Thankfully Hastings County’s Small Business Coordinator, Christine McLean, has provided this incredibly comprehensive list to guide and empower you on your entrepreneurial journey. Dive in and discover the potential that awaits!
Grants/Contests/Awards
July 20-August 31 - Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream
August 21 deadline - Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence
August 31 deadline - Bold Beginnings ($25,000, women under 30)
August 31 - January 31, 2024 - Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative (up to $150,000)
September 14 deadline - Tourism Development Grant (50% of up to $25,000 expenditures)
September 6 deadline - TELUS Small Business Grant (Up to $50,000 cash + $75,000 value)
September 30 deadline - Digital Transformation Grant ($2,500)
2024 - Total Mom Pitch
2024 – Starter Company Plus
Open - Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF, up to $10,000) Contact Chantal Ouellet at Trenval - chantal.ouellet@trenval.ca or 613-961-7999 ext 223
Open - Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (Up to $10,000 for training)
Open - First Nations Women’s Entrepreneurship program (FNWE) (Loans and grants up to $15,000)
Open - Grow Your Business Online Grant ($2,400)
Open - Canadian Digital Adoption Program (Up to $15,000)
Open - PEFIP (Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program)
Open - Alliance Grant (R&D partnerships with educational institutions and businesses)
Open - Bryan Baeumler Casting Call, (Building project makeover)
Open - CIP Programs (Signage and façade) – Centre Hastings, Marmora and Lake, Tweed, Bancroft
Benefits and Grant Finder (search tool) Loans
Loans
BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) - Large projects
Community Futures - Start-ups and small enterprises
DELIA - Microloans for underserved women
FACE (Federation of African Canadian Economics)
Futurpreneur - Ages 18-39
PARO - Women
WEOC (Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada)
Marketing
Hastings County Business Directory (Ongoing) - Contact our Marketing Coordinator, Jordon White, to let him know about your events for circulation - whitej@hastingscounty.com
Market Research (student projects) - Contact Loyalist Industry Partnership Officer Laurie Caouette LCaouette@loyalistcollege.com
Local food producer directory - Harvest Hastings
Website – Google Business Profile allows you to create FREE websites
Stirling-Rawdon Marketing Agency - Kasama Marketing
Municipal Directory - Stirling-Rawdon
23LGBTQI+ Friendly - Rainbow Registered Directory
Billboards - Stellar Outdoor, Top Outdoor
Newspapers - InQuinte, Belleville Intelligencer, Community Press, My Bancroft Now, Bancroft This Week, Tweed News, QNET News, News on 7
Radio - 95.5 Hits FM, 91x FM, Moose FM, CJBQ
Education
August 8, 10am - Web Presence 101 (DMS)
August 9, 11am - Unleash the Power of LinkedIn (CGLCC)
August 17, 9am - Marketing an ever-evolving discipline (Lure Marketing)
September 12, 1-3pm - Small Business Cyber Security Information Session (Nesda Technologies
September 14, 10am - Boost Your Business with a Mental Health Plan
Open - Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH)
Open - OBCT (Ontario Building Trades and Construction) Newsletter
On Demand - StrikeUp
Open - Product Testing at Loyalist College - Contact Loyalist Industry Partnership Officer Laurie Caouette LCaouette@loyalistcollege.com
Recruitment
OYAP - Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (trades)
Apprenticeship Tax Credit (trades)
CASP – Up to $10,000 for hiring a first-year apprentice
2024 - Canada Summer Jobs (workers from 15-30)2024 - Young Canada Works (heritage, arts, culture, and languages)
Small Business HR Toolkit (recruitment, onboarding, training, retention, legal)
Free job descriptions and postings - Career Edge, META, Community Employment Services, Agilec
Networking
Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC)
PARO - Women in Business
