I need information on immediately available grants or subsidies for
small businesses starting up in British Columbia, Canada. It has to be
approximately 125 000 and cannot be limited only to aboriginal,
disabled, youth, or women. The grant/subsidy also has to be applicable
to both retail sales, and a health/beauty company.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 04 Sep 2005 05:47 PDT

aharder-ga,

Hello.  I just want to clarify what you're after.

There is very little outright 'free' money available for starting up a
small business in Canada.  Most businesses in need of funds will seek
it from one of three main sources:  loans from banks, financing from
investors such as venture capitalists, or personal equity from
friends, family, partners, etc.


However, some government financing IS available to small businesses,
but under very select situations.  For instance, the majority of
government funding in this area goes to employment subsidies -- the
government will provide part of the funds for paying the salary of a
small-business employee under certain situations.


There may be other outright grant programs as well...I am looking into
this in more detail.

Your question asks for "immediately available grants".  What did you
have in mind?  Obtaining government funding is a lengthy process under
the best of conditions.  If you're anticipating having a check in hand
any time soon, you're bound to be disappointed.

Given these caveats, would you like me to explain the limited options
that ARE available for small business access to sources of government
funding?  There may be other non-government funding available as well,
though I haven't located any yet.

I could also review sources of more conventional financing, such as
bank loans, if that would be of interest.

Let me know your thoughts on this.

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by aharder-ga on 04 Sep 2005 09:12 PDT

pafalafa-ga,

I would like to know any possible information you can find about
available subsidies i.e. employee salary. Also, information about
outright grant programs (either government or not government) as you
mentioned.
	By "immediately available grants? I mean grants that have not reached
their limitations for this year leaving it impossible for me to apply
until next year.

aharder-ga,


Thank you for clarifying your original question.

I have conducted a thorough search of funding opportunities relevant
to a small business start-up in British Columbia.

As you suspected, many of the opportunities are only available to
well-defined target groups -- aboriginal populations, women,
handicapped, etc.

However, there are a few options that are available more generally,
and these included both grant/subsidies as well as low-cost loans. 
I've included both types, for the sake of completeness.

Please have a look at the excerpts below, and also use the links
provided to visit the progam pages for a fuller description.  By
especially sure to check the eligibility criteria at each site, to
make sure the programs are in synch with your particular set of
circumstances.

Lastly, almost all the programs have local-level contact information. 
I encourage you to contact the individuals at these organizations.  In
my experience, many such staff-level contacts are an amazing source of
up-to-date and little known information about programs, sources of
funds, deadlines, and tips for maximizing success.  Even if a program
doesn't quite fit your situation, it still may be worth a call to the
contact person to explore other options.

Here, then, are the programs I identified:


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081945203724&lang=en

Co-Vision - Start-up Financing Solution
Business Development Bank of Canada - BDC


For entrepreneurs at the start-up stage or experiencing their first
wave of growth, the Business Development Bank (BDC) offers Co-Vision,
a customized term financing solution up to $100 000 for new businesses
demonstrating long-term viability.


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944213777&lang=en

Job Creation Partnerships
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - HRSDC

Funding may be provided to sponsors/employers to cover such overhead
costs as wages and employment related costs and eligible expenses
negotiated with program officials;

Funding may be provided for capital costs to a maximum of $1 million
per year where such costs are essential to the achievement of
objectives;

Assistance provided for capital costs must be on a cost shared basis.

British Columbia Contact(s): 
Human Resources Centre of Canada
For a complete list of all Human Resource Centres of Canada (HRCC)
please vistit HRSDC's Web site or check the government lisitings in
your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/offices/bc-yk.shtml


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944201428&lang=en

Targeted Wage Subsidy Program
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - HRSDC

The Targeted Wage Subsidy Program enables employers to hire
individuals who face barriers to employment by offering temporary wage
subsidies and assists individuals experiencing difficulty in finding
work to benefit from on-the-job work experience.


British Columbia Contact(s): 
Web site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/offices/bc-yk.shtml


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944199275&lang=en

Knowledge and Growth Loan Fund
Business Development Bank of Canada - BDC


Western Economic Diversification Canada - WD


The Knowledge and Growth Loan Fund has been designed to benefit small
to medium-sized western Canadian knowledge-based businesses meeting
the following criteria:

Canadian-owned business that are federally or provincially
incorporated in Western Canada;

operating or about to operate in Western Canada with fewer than 250
full-time employees;

less than $12 million in annual sales; 

a solid business case supporting the project and/or development of
product with export potential;

having demonstrated market acceptance for existing products with orders on hand. 


What can the loans be used for?
This unique loan program is designed to meet the special needs of
smaller knowledge-based companies and provides capital for projects
not normally financed by traditional lenders:

ongoing commercial research and development (providing market
acceptance has been achieved for existing products);

pre-commercial and commercial product development; 
marketing and promotional activities; 

acquisition of specialized assets and work in progress; 
pre-shipping costs; 

working capital for anticipated sales increases. 


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944197313&lang=en

Community Futures Program - CFP
Western Economic Diversification Canada - WD

The mandate of the Community Futures Development Corporations is
community and business development. Each CFDC delivers a variety of
services ranging from:

local strategic economic planning; 

technical and advisory services to businesses; 

loans to small and medium entreprises; 

self-employment assistance programs; and 

services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities. 


CFDC Loan Program
A wide range of services and financing opportunities are available to
small businesses and entrepreneurs at the local CFDC. In general,
businesses seeking financing must:

be located in a rural area of one of the four Western provinces
(Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia);

be operating, or about to operate, in a designated CFDC area; 

contribute to local economic growth; 

be seeking financing of up to $125 000. 


British Columbia Contact(s): 
Community Futures Development Association of BC
Room 880, Marine Building
355 Berrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6C 2G8
Telephone: (604) 685-2332
Fax: (604) 681-6575
Toll-free (information): 1-866-685-3223
E-mail: info@communityfutures.ca


Duty Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 700
333 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6B 5G9
Telephone: (604) 666-6256
Fax: (604) 666-2353
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.bc@wd.gc.ca


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944191781&lang=en

Self-employment Program - SE
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada - HRSDC


The Self-employment benefit provides unemployed employment insurance
eligible individuals with income and entrepreneurial support while
they develop and implement their business plan.



British Columbia Contact(s): 
Human Resources Centre of Canada
For a complete list of all Human Resource Centres of Canada (HRCC)
please vistit HRSDC's Web site or check the government lisitings in
your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/offices/ab-nwt-nu.shtml


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944191273&lang=en


Venture Capital
Business Development Bank of Canada - BDC


BDC Venture Capital is a major venture capital investor in Canada,
active at every stage of a company's development cycle, from start-up
through expansion. Its stands behind commercially viable innovation
with the aim of creating substantial value for all shareholders.


===============


http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=Finance&cid=1081944191217&lang=en

Canada Small Business Financing (CSBF) Program
Industry Canada - IC


The CSBF Program, under the Canada Small Business Financing Act, can
assist businesses in obtaining term loans and capital leases of up to
$250 000 to help finance fixed asset needs. The loans are made
directly by a qualified lender (chartered banks, caisses populaires,
Alberta Treasury Branches, most credit unions, many trust, loan and
insurance companies) and the leases are issued by participating
lessors



===============


http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/3/so004461e.html

Community New Ventures Program Micro-Loan Fund 

The Community New Ventures Program Micro-Loan Fund operates as an
added service of the Community New Ventures Program (CNVP). CNVP is a
business skills training program assisting individuals with limited
financial resources who wish to start their own business. The goal of
the program is to help each person develop economic and social
independence through business skills training, individual business
advice and the opportunity to access small loans.


===============


To search for additional financing options listed at this site, head to:


http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/sourcesOfFinancing/instRegistration/Search


The search process is pretty self-explanatory, but if you have any
questions about it, just let me know and I'll be glad to help out.


===============


Also, I thought the following document might be helpful, even though
it isn't focused exclusively on funding:



http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=GuideHowto&cid=1106739781705&lang=en

Starting a Beauty Salon/Barber Shop/Esthetics/Tanning


The following is intended to provide an understanding of potential
license, permit or registration requirements when considering the
establishment of a beauty salon in Canada. This document was prepared
by Canada Business and contains a series of possible steps and issues
to consider in carrying out your project. The extent to which the
information will apply to you will depend on the circumstances related
to your situation.


===============


Lastly, Small Businesses BC offers a helpful series of guides at:


http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/guides-list.php?catID=2


Much of the information I presented here is also included in their Financing guide.



I wish there was more out there for you, but as I said, there are very
few sources of free money, and what's out there is generally targeted
at specialty poopulations or for high-tech start-ups.


I trust this information fully answers your question.

However, please don't rate this answer until you have everything you
need.  If there's anything more I can do for you, just post a Request
for Clarification, and I'm happy to assist you further.

Best of luck in your new venture,

pafalafa-ga


search strategy -- Google searches on:

[ "british columbia" "small business" ]

followed by a site search for grants and financing on several
different sites.  I also contacted Small Business BC directly for
further information.