Cornwall, ON – The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre, in partnership with the Government of Ontario, is pleased to announce the launch of the Starter Company PLUS program, available to residents from Cornwall, SD&G and Akwesasne.

Starter Company PLUS offers the successful applicants unparalleled assistance to start, grow or purchase an existing small business. Assistance includes training, business skills development, mentoring from local business leaders and all-important access to capital. The program is open to residents 18 years of age and older.

“Training and mentorship are the core of the Starter Company PLUS program,” said Ryan Kuhn, Program Coordinator with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “Participants will partner with centre staff and local entrepreneurs and experts who will help them develop the skills needed to launch and sustain a successful business. Participants are also eligible to apply for a grant of up to $4,500.”

Prospective entrepreneurs are invited to visit the CBEC website for an outline of this Starter Company PLUS program and to find application information. CBEC staff will work with approved entrepreneurs to create a learning plan, schedule necessary training, and ultimately create a business plan, start-up budget and a 2 year financial forecast.

Eligible entrepreneurs include those purchasing an existing business, starting their own, or expanding their already existing business. In order for a business expansion to be eligible for a grant, concrete growth goals must be established – ideally including the hiring of staff. Once training is complete, the applicant is eligible to apply for funding of up to $4,500. No funding will be provided to the participants during the training module.

“There have been some changes made to the Starter Company PLUS program and we are happy to help entrepreneurs understand how this program can held them,” said Candy Pollard, Business Consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre. “One key change is a move to specified intake dates as opposed to a continual application intake. Applicants are encouraged to pay close attention to these dates.”

The Starter Company program was launched in 2014 to support younger entrepreneurs and then re-launched in 2017 as Starter Company Plus. Since inception, the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre has worked with 145 participants and has helped to distribute $390,000 via 78 micro-financing grants to local entrepreneurs.