$5,000 grant to assist Eastern Ontario-based Women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to REBUILD, REOPEN and REVIVE their businesses.

The Chamber wants to make sure you are aware of the following program designed to help women-led enterprises to Rebuild, Reopen and Revive their business.

About the program:
With the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), RE3 provides non-repayable performance-based contributions of up to $5,000 to assist Eastern Ontario-based Women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to REBUILD, REOPEN and REVIVE their businesses.

Northumberland CFDC and WindsorEssex Economic Development are working collaboratively within their regional entrepreneurial ecosystems to advance women-led SMEs across Eastern Ontario, effectively positioning for rapid and positive post-pandemic economic recovery.

Canadian women entrepreneurs are key to our economic success as a country, and they make invaluable contributions to our communities. However, women still face unique and systemic barriers to starting and growing a business, and they remain underrepresented in our economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women entrepreneurs. It has severely affected sectors such as retail, hospitality and food services—sectors where women entrepreneurs are most present.

For these reasons, RE3 is focused on supporting and strengthening the position of Women-led SMEs in our economic recovery, reformation and revitalization.

This program is open to “Woman-led” enterprises. This is the definition:
A woman is, or women are, driving the direction of the business (for a minimum of one year) as Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, C-Suite Executive (e.g. CTO, CFO, COO, etc.), Owner-Operator, Principal, etc.; and/or the business is owned by a woman or women (combined) that have majority ownership (a minimum of 51% equity stake).

Eligible activities should support the reopening, rebuilding and revival of applicant’s business, such as:
 

• Acquisition of required/mandated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Workspace reconfiguration to accommodate physical distancing
• Hardware/software upgrades to enhance online capacity, client servicing and accessibility.

Selected projects will be eligible for a one-time non-repayable performance-based contribution up to $5,000 on eligible expenses net of HST. The minimum supported project will not normally be less than $3,000.

To find out more please visit https://financingandstrategy.com/re3/