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Grants available for businesses

We know firsthand how hard and sometimes frustrating it is when looking for Funding or Grants that you may or may not be eligible for.
Who to talk to?  Where to reach out for help?  What grants are out there for me?
We have compiled a one stop shop for grants available to our members for your convenience.

Grants are always changing and evolving so its best to always keep updated on the availability.

We also added a list of experts in their respective field,  if you should have any questions about any of the grants available on our website contact your local CEDC, NOHFC, Ventures, Fednor and City of Thunder Bay representatives and make an appointment today!

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

Access grants and expertise to transform your business

Do you own a small or medium-sized Canadian business? We can help. Get a grant and access to expert advice to increase online sales, reduce costs, better manage inventory and more.

Grow Your Business Online Grant

Looking to implement e-commerce capabilities to remain competitive? Need to serve existing customers more effectively and attract new customers? With a micro-grant of up to $2,400, we can help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies

Boost Your Business Technology Grant

Looking to increase productivity? Need to consolidate your back office software? Need better cybersecurity tools? With a plan tailored to your business, we can help with your digital transformation. Get up to $15 000 in funding.

2024 Financial Incentive Program – City of Thunder Bay

The following grants are available in 2023. These grants can be combined for a total maximum of $25,000 per property.

Planning and Building Fee Grant

A rebate of planning application fees and building permit fees

Commercial Conversion Grant – Main floor

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of renovating and converting main floor residential to commercial use up to a maximum of $10,000

Residential/Office Conversion Grant – Upper floor(s)

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of renovating and converting second floor or higher units to residential or office use up to a maximum of $10,000

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant

A grant equal to 50% of the cost of improvements to the façade of commercial storefront buildings up to a maximum of $10,000

Summer Company application are open

⁠Summer Company is a local and regional program administered by the Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre. This funding program is supported by the Province of Ontario and provides enterprising young people, aged 15 to 29, with the opportunity to start and run their own summer businesses.

Full time students aged 15 – 29 are eligible to participate.

Starter Company Plus Applications are open

If you’re an entrepreneur in Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario looking to start up, expand or buy an existing business, apply for the Starter Company Plus program.

The Starter Company Plus program provides training sessions on important business topics. During the training delivery, program participants will work with the Program Coordinator to complete a business plan and financial projections for their start up, business purchase, or expansion.

Apply to the Tourism Development Fund

The CEDC Tourism Product Development Fund (formerly known as the CEDC MAT Product Development Fund) provides support to projects that enhance Thunder Bay’s tourism economy. The fund focuses on projects that create new visitor experiences and enhance existing experiences.

NOHFC People & Talent Program

Designed to attract, retain, and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce by creating and sustaining new and existing jobs

Receive up to 90% of an Indigenous person’s salary of up to $52.5k a year, and up to 90% of other eligible applicants for up to $35k a year

 Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

Supports business growth through business loans with competitive interest rates

Up to $1M for business expansion activities

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

This organization helps businesses based out of Northern Ontario with funding and network support.

Funding varies by program.

Canada Summer Jobs

Support for employers providing supervised career-related work experience for youth employees

Up to 50% of employee minimum hourly rate; Non-profits can receive grants up to 100% of minimum wage plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs); Amount is capped at a max $300K per employer/province or territory. Maximum 40 hours/week/employee can be included.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration (EVID) Program

Supports demonstrations of next-generation and innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

Up to 50% of eligible project expenses and offers $250k – $3M in funding

Youth Employment Program (IRAP)

Designed to assist funding of hiring young Canadian post-secondary graduates

Provides up to $30,000 per graduate (up to two) for a period of 6 to 12 months.

Contact your Thunder Bay representatives and make an appointment today!

Kyle Neabel -CEDC 
Small Business Development Officer
Tel: 807-621-7131
Email: kyle.neabel@thunderbay.ca

Kirsten Kabernick- CEDC
Program Coordinator
Starter Company Plus, Summer Company & Tourism Development Fund
Tel: 807-632-3289
Email: kirsten.kabernick@thunderbay.ca

Kaitlyn Mosher – Thunder Bay Ventures
Business Development & Lending Officer
Tel: (807)-768-6650
Email: kaitlyn@thunderbayventures.com

Planning Services Division Development Services- City of Thunder Bay
Office 2nd Floor, Victoriaville Civic Centre
Tel: 807- 625-2216
Email: www.thunderbay.ca/CoreAreaGrants

Sean Irwin- NOHFC
Northern Development Officer
Tel: (705) 945-6700
Email: sean.irwin@ontario.ca

Jeffrey OBrien – FEDNOR
Community Economic Development
Tel:844-805-8370 or (705)-255-3837
Email: Jeffrey.OBrien2@ised-isde.gc.ca

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