Southwest Business Diversity Support Grant

Overview of the Southwest Business Diversity Support Grant program:

Choosing to establish your business in the Southwest means joining a lively area with popular commercial streets. This program supports new businesses, helps create a diverse range of shops, attracts customers, and boosts foot traffic in the targeted neighborhoods.

Benefits of the Southwest Business Diversity Support Grant program:

• Grants for Commercial Businesses
• General Grant: Winning commercial businesses can receive grants of $10,000.
• Special Grant for Grocery Stores: Essential businesses classified under NAICS code 4451 (grocery stores) located on the designated portion of Notre-Dame Street West are eligible for grants of $20,000. This special grant addresses the community's need in an area considered a food desert.

Eligibility criteria of the Southwest Business Diversity Support Grant program:

• To benefit from the financial aid, candidate companies must meet the following conditions:
  • Not having already received a scholarship from the Program
  • Not having been active for more than three months on the artery
  • Demonstrate that the business project has a profitability perspective
  • Demonstrate that financial assistance is essential to the completion of the project
  • Demonstrate that the company brings added value to the service offering on the street in question and in the South-West district
  • Allow to generate traffic on the street
  • Agree to meet with the selection committee and participate in the Programs communication and promotion activities
  • Create at least two permanent jobs, including that of the promoter, within six months of the start of the project
  • Commit to working full-time in the company
  • Hold, as principal promoter, the majority of the shares of the company (more than 50%) or hold them with the other eligible entrepreneurs, if applicable
  • Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and be a permanent resident of Quebec
  • Provide regular opening hours for the type of business offered
  • Commit to repaying the amount of the grant in proportion to the number of months remaining before the end of the term if the company ceases its activities or transfers its activities outside the premises targeted at the time of application, and this, before 24 months
  • Be a sole proprietorship, a corporation (company), a cooperative or a non-profit organization (NPO)
  • Comply with the conditions stipulated in the company's business plan and any disbursement conditions that may be required by the committee
  • Exclusions: franchises and professional service offices on all arteries, as well as bars, cafes, restaurants and caterers on Notre-Dame and Centre streets.