In an economic context shaken by the COVID-19 crisis, the Thérèse-De Blainville MRC is launching measures to support small and medium-sized businesses, social economy enterprises, non-profit organizations, self-employed workers and very small businesses in its territory.
In addition to the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation’s “Aide d’urgence pour les petites et moyennes entreprises” announced on April 3, the MRC is moving ahead with two other measures: a new temporary financial support fund for small businesses and non-profit organizations, and more flexible FLI loans.
“With these measures, we want to give our entrepreneurs a breath of fresh air while they wait for normal economic activity to resume, so that they can maintain, consolidate or relaunch operations when the Quebec government gives the go-ahead. In the form of loans, loan guarantees or subsidies, these measures are available to businesses right now,” said Richard Perreault, Prefect of the Thérèse-De Blainville RCM.
Temporary financial support fund for small businesses and non-profit organizations
The Thérèse-De Blainville RCM has released $200,000 from its accumulated surplus to provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to help small businesses hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19, and non-profit organizations (NPOs), particularly those not eligible for government emergency assistance.
Applications will be accepted before September 30, 2020, subject to funding availability.
Eligibility requirements :
- Be in business in Quebec for at least 2 years.
- Not be under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Temporarily closed or likely to close, or showing early signs of closure.
- Maintain, consolidate or relaunch operations.
- Demonstrate the causal link between financial or operational issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flexibility measures for FLI loans
Following the March 19, 2020 announcement by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation, the loan terms of the Fonds local d’investissement (FLI) are being relaxed to offer respite to MRC businesses already benefiting from the program. These companies will therefore benefit from a six-month moratorium on principal and interest on FLI loans. This moratorium will run from April to September 2020.
“The MRC is going into emergency mode to grant loans and subsidies and to promote the various measures put forward. Keep an eye on the MRC website mrc-tdb.org, local municipal newsletters and the local media, which we ask to promote these special programs, in the hope that we will emerge from this crisis as quickly as possible”, concluded the President of the Local Investment Fund Committee and Mayor of Bois-des-Filion, Mr. Gilles Blanchette.
To apply for these measures (Aide d’urgence PME) or (Fonds de soutien temporaire financier aux PME et OSBL), please complete the application form on www.mrc-tdb.org by clicking on URGENCE PME – COVID-19 and sending it to the following e-mail address UrgencePMECovid19@mrc-tdb.org. A member of the MRC’s economic development and entrepreneurship staff will contact you.
(read the press release here)
