We are seeing that many area business owners are pivoting their strategies and operations to navigate through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are finding themselves excessively busy as they adapt to new schedules, staffing levels, and other reopening requirements.
As such, Millworks – Centre for Entrepreneurship is launching a new micro-grant program to allow small businesses access to professional services in order to get assistance in pivoting strategies. This micro-grant can be utilized by Algoma region businesses for retaining third party approved consultants, such as:
- Digital Marketing Experts to update and modernize a website for their business and/or adopt e-commerce platforms for selling products/services
- Marketing Consultants or Business Advisors to research new markets and promotion techniques to pivot existing marketing strategies
- Accountants to assist in applying for government assistance programs for small business
- Other Professional Advisors to adjust/update their business plan
The program will help fund up to 90% of the professional services to a maximum of $1,500, where the business will be required to pay upfront for project costs and submit a proof of payment to Millworks to obtain the pre-approved reimbursement amount.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an existing registered, full-time business (for profit) in the Algoma Region.
- Must demonstrate a need for the service requested.
- Service provider must be approved by Millworks – Centre for Entrepreneurship.
- One application per business only.
- Funding allowed for a new project only.
- Businesses must share the implementation plan for the approved project with Millworks – Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Millworks will provide a list of approved consultants for clients to choose from; however, applicants may choose another service provider. Prior written approval by Millworks staff will be required. It will be the client’s responsibility to reach out to the service provider and provide the Centre with a quote to receive approval before proceeding. Once approval is received, Millworks will provide written confirmation to the client indicating the reimbursement amount for the eligible project.
If you are interested in joining our list of consultants or applying for the grant program, apply here: