News

$50,000 to Expand Services at the Business Centre

NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing an additional $50,000 to the Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound on top of their base funding allocation of $159,500 for the 2024 year, for a total allocation of $209,500.

“Our local Small Business Enterprise Centre offers entrepreneurs all the tools they need to start and grow their businesses,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “This additional funding will allow our local business centre to expand services such as business consultations, seminars, workshops, mentorship and training, as well as micro-grants through the Summer Company and Starter Company Plus programs.” 

“We are thrilled to receive additional support from The Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade in order to further reach students and new entrepreneurs through our Starter Company Plus Program and Summer Company Program. These programs have proven to provide valuable training, resources, connections, and mentorship to participants and help to ensure the small business owners are set up for success. Participants represent a wide variety of industries, but all have a common desire to launch or grow a viable business that contributes to our local communities. The additional grant funds will allow our centre to accept more entrepreneurs into our programs and enhance the training and mentorship our centre provides,” said Jennifer Nickerson, Manager, The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound.

“Several of the participants from our Summer Company Program have continued their business operations throughout their time in school AND upon graduation, turned their businesses into full time ventures. Over the years, many of our Starter Company Plus participants have experienced growth, hired local talent, collaborated with other program participants, and have become mentors and role models for our newer entrepreneurs.  These programs are truly a great place to start for an individual planning to operate their own small business. The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound is proud to be a member of the Small Business Centre’s of Ontario network and we work closely with all 47 centres to ensure we are offering quality programming, timely resources and relevant advisory services for those seeking information and support when starting a business,” added Jennifer Nickerson.

There is a network of 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across Ontario that operate in collaboration with municipalities and regional partners, to support small businesses, typically with fewer than 10 employees.

Facilitated by the SBECs, Summer Company provides hands-on training, mentoring and up to $3,000 in grants to Ontario students aged 15 to 29 to start a full-time business over the summer. Sales, marketing, bookkeeping, customer relationship management, and networking are just a few of the highly useful skills students will develop. Applications are still open for the Summer Company 2024 program. For further information on how to apply, please see the following website: Summer Company / The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound (tbcnps.ca)

Facilitated by the SBECs, Starter Company Plus provides mentoring, training, and up to $5,000 in grants to entrepreneurs aged 18 years and older to start or grow a small business. Through Starter Company Plus, successful applicants receive one-on-one guidance, participate in business workshops, seminars, or networking events, and learn a range of topics from writing a business plan to budgeting to marketing campaigns.

Additional Information:

• The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound is a Not for Profit that is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, start-ups, and expanding businesses in the districts of Nipissing and Parry Sound. We provide valuable information, programs, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs PLAN, GROW and PROSPER.