THUNDER BAY – Ten local companies have successfully completed the latest round of the Community Economic Development Commission’s Starter Company Plus program.
Each company will receive a $5,000 grant, upping the total to 32 companies that have successfully completed the program in the past year, the $160,000 handed out by the CEDC as a result.
Jessie McLure, owner of Jessie Hair Play, was one of the program’s successful graduates and said the money and what she learned over the six-week crash course will be of immense benefit to her business and its future success.
“I'm super excited to have received this grant. Going into business can be scary and going through the Starter Plus Program provided a lot of knowledge that I know I'm going to use in my business in the future,” McLure said in a release issued on Wednesday by the CEDC.
“This grant means I can invest into my business buying some required equipment and supplies allowing me to offer more services for my clients. After a very hard year this program and grant really helped make me feel confident going forward.”
Eric Zakrewski, CEO of the CEDC, said there’s plenty of value in supporting local entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially during uncertain times like the business community has experienced in 2020.
“The CEDC board of directors approved a $75,000 boost to the program in the spring of this year in response to the pandemic and my staff have continued to administer the program virtually. The fact that we have so many applicants for the program serves to illustrate how critical it is to support new and expanding small business in our local economy.”
The program is funded in part by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creations and Trade and is led locally by the Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre.
The goal is to train and mentor local business owners looking to start up, expand or purchase an existing businesses. They take part in workshops relating to a variety of topics, including employment law, small business accounting, business law and marketing.
After being approved for the grant, mentorship with a local professional begins.
The 10 successful participants for the latest round of the program are as follows:
- BioNorth Solutions
- Goods & Co Market
- Industrial Athletics
- La Poutine
- Northern Vinter Winery
- Pie.ology
- Ethics Beauty Supply
- Jessie Hair Play
- Tok Tok
- Wild Thyme
