The idea of starting your own business is appealing to many because and it can be very rewarding.
Whether you are looking for information on business plans, grants, e-business solutions or advertising, South Dundas has a number of community partnerships in place to assist entrepreneurs in every stage of business operation. Contact the Economic Development Department to learn more.
You can also find a full directory of South Dundas businesses at the Shop South Dundas website.
Federal & Provincial Funding Programs
Browse the funding programs below and learn how these programs can help your business succeed!
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028) between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. It replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities by the governments. In Ontario, this includes up to $569 million toward the agri-food industry.
The programs under the Sustainable CAP will:
- support the vision and priorities the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers agreed to in The Guelph Statement
- strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in eastern Ontario make investments to:
- grow their businesses
- improve productivity
- invest in innovation and skills development
- pursue new markets
- generate broad positive regional economic impact
- create new good, sustainable jobs
A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.
The types of support available include:
- funding support
- complementary services and support
Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program provides cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario, and opens doors to rural economic development through:
- funding assistance to address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges, better position rural communities to attract or retain investment, and enhance economic growth
- funding to build community capacity and support for economic development in Ontario’s rural communities
- investments in rural communities to help diversify and grow local economies – making economic growth more inclusive so rural Ontario continues to share in the province’s economic prosperity
This page provides a summary of the RED program. Read the RED program guidelines for the full details about eligibility, program funding and application requirements.
Starter Company PLUS provides successful applicants with assistance to start, grow or buy a small business. Assistance includes training, business skills development, mentoring from local business leaders and capital. The program is open to Ontario residents 18 years of age and older.
The Starter Company PLUS program partners entrepreneurs with experts who will help you develop the skills needed to launch and sustain successful businesses. Program participants are also eligible to pitch to receive a grant of up to $4,500.
Summer Company is a unique program designed by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment to engage, inspire and inform the youth of Ontario and to help young entrepreneurs prosper. By providing a chance to create their own small businesses, Summer Company allows students to take charge as their own boss, helping them to develop business skills early in life. The program appeals to creative, motivated youth because it could lead to personal growth and profit.
Local businesses are now able to take advantage of local expertise thanks to the new Digital Consult Program.
The objective of Digital Consult is to connect small business owners in Cornwall, SDG and Akwesasne with experts in finance, legal, marketing, technology and on-line solutions. Business owners will be able to book an expert for up to 3 (three) 90 minute consulting sessions, allowing them to ask questions, identify available assistant programs, and plan out future activities and more.
The cost of the consultants will be covered by the Business Enterprise Centre, thanks to a $32,000 grant from the Ontario Together Fund. All consultations will be confidential and specific to the business.
This fund supports the non-profit sector recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so they can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario.
OTF is investing in projects of eligible non-profit organizations to aid their medium to longer-term recovery efforts, help with their stabilization and build their capacity and resiliency in the aftermath of COVID-19.
This fund is providing a flexible range of activities to address the diverse needs of organizations and to support them where they are at in their recovery and rebuilding.
Due to the expected high demand and in our efforts to support as many organizations as possible, only one grant per eligible organization will be awarded. Organizations that receive a grant will not be eligible to apply a second time.
Why has OTF created the Resilient Communities Fund?
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the non-profit sector and its ability to support and serve communities across Ontario.
We recognize that post COVID-19 recovery support will be essential to ready non-profit organizations to deal with new and emerging needs for both them and their communities by building their organizational capacity and their ability to deliver programs and services.
OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund investments to the non-profit sector will work to complement existing emergency response funding already in place by local, provincial, and federal funders by addressing medium to longer-term impacts to organizations.
This fund aligns with OTF’s mandate to support the capacity of non-profit organizations and build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario.
Community Investments
Seed Grant
Try something new or find a better way to deliver a program. Seed Grants support the research, development, and testing of new ideas and different approaches.
Grow Grant
Take a successful project to a new level. Grow Grants provide a higher level of funding over 2-3 years to help proven community projects increase their impact.
Capital Grant
Improve community buildings and spaces. Capital Grants support projects that provide people with suitable, accessible, and well-equipped buildings and spaces for their community's needs.
Business Benefits Finder
Find programs and services to help your business grow.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business, or a not-for-profit organization.Business Scale-up and Productivity
FedDev Ontario is investing in people, potential, and possibilities. We want to help you grow so you can reach your potential and unlock new possibilities.
Applications can be submitted for
No-interest, repayable contributions from $125,000 up to $10 million per project for incorporated businesses that:
- develop, commercialize or produce innovative products, processes and services
- improve productivity, capacity and competitiveness
- scale-up and expand to develop new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers
We are looking for projects that
Focus on one or more of our priorities:
- Clean economic growth - projects that support the greening of the economy, that can contribute to emissions reductions, and that create sustainable and green jobs
- Growth companies - projects that accelerate innovation-led growth
- Technology - projects led by high-potential firms in cutting-edge sectors (e.g., artificial intelligence, life sciences and digital technologies)
- Industrial transition - projects that support change in traditional sectors, develop new sectors and ensure there are opportunities for years to come
Inclusive growth and regional coverage are cross-cutting investment principles. FedDev Ontario wants to help you grow your business. We welcome projects that create new opportunities for underrepresented groups and promote growth across urban centres and small and rural communities alike.
Intake priorities are subject to change between intakes.
Community Economic Development & Diversification
FedDev Ontario is helping to build a green, inclusive and globally competitive southern Ontario by investing in companies to innovate, expand and diversify and supporting organizations to provide business support and services in communities across the region.
Regional Innovation Ecosystem
We are looking for projects that focus on one or more of our priorities:
- Clean economic growth – projects that support the greening of the economy, that can contribute to emissions reductions, and that create sustainable and green jobs
- Growth companies – projects that accelerate innovation-led growth
- Technology – projects in cutting-edge sectors (e.g., artificial intelligence, life sciences and digital technologies)
- Industrial transition – projects that support change in traditional sectors, develop new sectors and ensure there are opportunities for years to come
Inclusive growth and regional coverage are cross-cutting investment principles. We welcome projects that create new opportunities for underrepresented groups and promote growth across urban centres and small and rural communities alike.
Intake priorities are subject to change between intakes.
Tourism Relief Fund in Southern Ontario
The Tourism Relief Fund supports tourism businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.
Canada Community Revitalization Fund in Southern Ontario
The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over 2 years, the fund will support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities to:
- build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets
- bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease
- create jobs and stimulate local economies
The fund is being delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs).
Digital Main Street
As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street is proud to continue delivering these programs to support businesses across Ontario.Sometimes, you need to act fast to grab opportunities or conquer challenges. Our Small Business Loan is designed to help you quickly and easily access the funds you need with flexible terms you can afford.
Financing you can use to:
Supplement cash flow
Purchase equipment, software, or hardware without using cash you need for everyday activitiesSell online to increase sales
Upgrade your website, purchase inventory, run marketing campaigns, hire a consultantCover expenses
Pay suppliers, landlords, employees
Ontario Centre of Innovation
Helping Ontario innovators get connected with researchers, industry partners, and funded needed to commercialize the next generation of made-in-Ontario IP and solutions.Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit
Learn how you could receive Corporate Income Tax support in Ontario, while investing in growth and job creation.
This online book has multiple pages. Please click on the Table of Contents link above for additional information related to this topic.
The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
The enhanced program provides lenders and small businesses with additional financing products, new class of loans, increased loan amounts and terms, improved loan conditions and decreased administrative burden.
CONVERGENT STREAM
Through the Convergent Stream, the CMF supports the creation of content in four underrepresented genres: drama, documentary, children’s & youth, and variety & performing arts.EXPERIMENTAL STREAM
The Experimental Stream encourages the development of interactive digital media content and software applications that are innovative and leading-edge.PERSONA-ID
Through our many programs, we support a dynamic environment where creators, producers, broadcasters, and distributors partner to generate content for Canadians and global audiences to enjoy.Ontario's workforce is our most valuable asset. As new technologies, globalization and shifting demographics rapidly change Ontario's economy, they alter the mix of available jobs and the skills people need to succeed in them. By building up education and training, we can maintain Ontario's competitive advantage, helping businesses and workers adapt to change and achieve their goals.
Young talent offer fresh perspectives that can fuel innovation. Our youth employment program provides financial assistance to companies so they can hire young talent to contribute to their innovation needs.
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) delivers this program under the federal government's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to help young Canadians get career information, develop skills, find good jobs, and stay employed. In addition to bringing new ideas to your organization, your participation also helps highly skilled young people transition into today's rapidly changing labour market.
The Jobs and Growth Fund provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. The fund, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs), provides $700 million nationally over three years, which includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria.
In southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario is investing $224 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.