NOTICE: As of August 22 2019, the CanExport program now offers up to 75% of project expenses to a maximum of $75,000 per application and is open to agricultural producers and processors. Please refer to the CanExport program page for the most recent updates. It’s been quite an eventful year for the popular CanExport funding program. Earlier in…
Entering and expanding international markets is one of the best ways that Alberta businesses can drive year-over-year growth. Yet for many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), the risks associated with exporting prevent exploring markets outside of Canada. Businesses can limit this risk by participating in trade shows and trade events, which tends to be one…
Update: In response to COVID-19, the second intake of EODF has been extended to May 29, 2020. Attracting business investment to Eastern Ontario has historically been a challenge for economic developers. Although there are many high-potential companies operating in the region, these organizations typically do not invest and grow at the same rate as other…
Many Canadian firms have unrealized export potential. Canada’s sterling international reputation and strong business landscape should lend well to Canadian export success, yet many businesses do not leverage this opportunity. Whether it’s because of the upfront investment or effort required, Canadian businesses tend to shy away from international markets. Fortunately, Canadian government funding programs can…
Five manufacturers in eastern Ontario have recently been awarded business expansion grants. These companies will use Ontario government funding for building/renovating production plants, purchasing more efficient equipment, and expanding their market reach. As a result, the businesses will improve their overall productivity by providing more products and services, as well as by retaining and creating…
Expanding into new export markets is a rewarding strategy for Canadian businesses. However, exporters often run into roadblocks along the way, including one of the biggest barriers to export success – finding and marketing to the right customer segments. Fortunately, there are exporting resources available to Canadian businesses that help make finding the right opportunities…
Canadian businesses are fortunate when it comes to exporting since there are several ways to receive support. These include training courses to certify you or members of your organization as trade professionals, and government funding programs to build export capacity and reach/expand international markets. Will your business start exporting or expand export markets in 2018? Educate yourself…
The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) seeks to enhance the environment and people’s lives by promoting access to organic products. With an overarching goal to connect and support the Canadian organic supply chain, COTA focuses its activities in three key areas: government relations, consumer education, and global market development. Recently, COTA was awarded more than…
UPDATE: The AgriMarketing program is now closed and not processing new applications. All applicants, even agricultural producers and processors are encouraged to use the CanExport program for all new applications. Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry is one of the country’s top export-oriented sectors. In 2016 alone, Canadian companies exported nearly $56 billion in products internationally and…
Ontario is one of the most ideal provinces in Canada to grow small and medium-sized businesses. The diverse and well-established economic landscape enables companies to scale quickly, and government incentives such as the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) can offset a portion of expenses for strategic growth projects. The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund was created…