Rural Business Guide

Last Verified: January 5, 2012

What is a Business Guide?

The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre created Business Guides to help you navigate through the wide range of programs and services in a specific area as well as related regulations that may affect your business venture. Business Guides featuring other topics of interest are also available by contacting the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre at 204-984-2272 (in Winnipeg) or 1-800-665-2019 (toll free in Canada) or by e-mail at manitoba@canadabusiness.mb.ca.

Note: In addition to providing an immediate clickable link when viewing this document online, we have suggested search words/terms to assist you in future or additional program and/or service information searches on our or other sites.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Financial Assistance
• Programs and Services

Financial Assistance

Business Financing
Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF)
Telephone: 204-778-4138 or Toll free 1-800-561-4315
Fax: 204-778-4313
Internet: http://www.cedf.mb.ca/business.htm
Search words: CEDF financing

CEDF can provide a variety of financial services to Business. Its core products are:

CEDF Business Line Working Capital Loans backed by asset security. The loans are offered at Prime plus 2.25% for a 5 year term (renewable). During the first 36 months - clients can opt to repay only interest.

CEDF Equipment Line - CEDF can finance equipment purchase and refurbishment in all industry sectors up to $1 million. Loans have up to a 10 year term (depending on equipment) and bear fixed interest at CEDF rates.

CEDF Builder Line - CEDF can finance property (including business acquisition where property is involved) up to $2 million.

Other Products - CEDF can provide a variety of short term financing options for businesses - Bid Bonding (Asset Backed), Bridge Financing for Contract or funding agreements, and many other financing needs.

Business Start Program (BSP)
Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade
Small Business Development Branch
c/o Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
Phone: 204-945-7721 or call Toll-free in Manitoba 1-800-665-2019
Fax: 204-983-3852
Internet: http://www.canadabusiness.mb.ca/resource/File/Manitoba_Business_Start
_Program__Loan_Application_General_Information_and_Instructions.pdf
Search words: Business Start Program

Business Start loans, up to a maximum of $30,000, are available to new owner-managed business across Manitoba. Loans are provided through participating banks and credit unions and guaranteed by the Manitoba Government. A Business Start loan can provide funding for business registration or incorporation costs, equipment and inventory purchases, promotional costs and working capital needs. Loan terms include an attractive prime-plus-one per cent interest rate and a one-year deferral of principal repayment. The program also provides entrepreneurial training through a free three-day Business Planning Workshop, which is mandatory for all Business Start loan applicants. A comprehensive business plan must be submitted with the loan application.

Commercialization Support for Business Program
Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade
Phone: List of Industry Consultants http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/busdev/industry/consult.html
Fax: 204-945-1193
E-mail: csb@gov.mb.ca
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/busdev/financial/csb/index.html
Search words: commercialization support, Manitoba

This program helps Manitoba continue to move forward by supporting product and process commercialization and business development in all sectors and all regions of the province. The program includes:
Concept Development (Max up to $25,000) – from concept to prototype development;
Product Development (Max up to $40,000) – pre-commercialization activities like feasibility or engineering analyses, trial production and test marketing;
Product Commercialization (Max up to $200,000) – moving from prototype to market-ready product;
Market Development (Max $30,000) – materials and activities needed to enter new markets successfully;
Certification Assistance (Max $15,000) – obtaining plant or product certification;
Intellectual Property (Max $25,000) – securing intellectual property rights for the product or process.

Community Futures Program (CFP) - Small Business Loans
Western Economic Diversification Canada - WD
Internet: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/6175/
Search words: Community Futures Manitoba - Small Business Loans
Call the C/MBSC Toll free at 1-800-665-2019 to find the Community Futures Office for the service location nearest you.)

If you live in rural Manitoba, you could get a loan to start or grow a small business. Loan amounts can range up to $150,000. You need to:

• Have a viable business plan
• Invest some of your money in the project

Loans have flexible repayment terms. Other conditions apply.

Other services like business training and counselling may also be available.

MASC - Loan Guarantee Programs - Rural Entrepreneur Assistance (REA) Program
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation - MASC
Phone: 1-800-282-8069 Extension 2180
Internet: http://www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/program_rural_entrepreneur_assistance.html
Search words: Rural Entrepreneur Assistance (REA) Component

This program guarantees a percentage of individual business capital loans between $10,000 and $200,000.  Loans are offered and administered by participating banks and credit unions for ten year terms at  Prime +1% interest rate.  The applicant will be required to contribute 20% of the total project costs in the form of a cash contribution, land, buildings, equipment, inventory and/or incremental assets that would be employed in the business. Loans are to be used for new enterprises or the enhancement of existing operations but not for renovations or cosmetic changes to building, land signs and promotional material or refinancing of existing debt.

MASC - Loan Guarantee Programs - Rural Small Business Operating Credit Guarantee
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation
Telephone: 204-746-7509
Internet: http://www.masc.mb.ca/masc.nsf/program_ocg_rural_small_business.html
Search words: Rural Small Business Operating Credit Guarantee

Rural Small Business Operating Credit Guarantee program provides guarantees on lines of credit, up to a maximum amount of $200,000, obtained from participating lending institutions. Loans can be used for purchases of inventory, financing of receivables, and to cover the costs of most other common day-to-day business expenses.

Rural Economic Development Initiatives (REDI) Hometown Manitoba
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Contact Go Team: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ri/community/ria01s05.html
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/ri/community/ria01s04.html
Search words: Hometown Manitoba

Hometown Manitoba is a program under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) that provides financial support for rural and northern community projects initiated by local communities, organizations, cooperatives and businesses that enhance public places and building exteriors. The program also aims to promote unique identities and themes that define a community. Supporting rural and northern communities to enhance “main street” public places and building exteriors.

Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative
Economy & Rural Development Knowledge Centre
Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives - MAFRI
Phone: 1-204-761-0551
Fax: 1-204-726-6260
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/programs/aaa36s06.html
Application Form: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/programs/pdf
/aaa16s01.pdf
Search words: Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Manitoba

This loan program is targeted to rural Aboriginal youth, under the age of 40, who are considering starting a business in Rural Manitoba.

The program funding can be used for: costs associated with the establishment of a business, activities such as seminars and workshops, educational tours or conferences, and the development of resource materials.
 

Programs and Services

Community Enterprise Development (CED) Tax Credit Program
Economic Development Initiatives Knowledge Centre
Phone: 204-945-2157 or Toll Free: 1-800-567-7334
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/programs/aaa21s04
Search words: Community Enterprise Development (CED) Tax Credit Program

This program encourages Manitobans to invest in enterprises in their communities by providing a tax incentive, while providing community-based enterprises with access to equity capital. Investors receive a 30% personal income tax credit on a maximum annual investment of $30,000 (up to $9,000 in tax credits). Eligible enterprises receive a maximum of $1,000,000 in repayable capital. Projects requiring larger amounts of capital may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Economic Developmental Services
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives - MAFRI
Phone: Toll free 1-800-567-7334
Internet: http://www.canadabusiness.mb.ca/home_page/guides/guides
__by_department/agriculture_food_and_rural_initiatives/economic_development_initiatives/
Search words: Economic Development Initiatives, MAFRI

This service provides community economic development and business consulting support to rural Manitoba businesses and local communities.

Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit (formerly the CEITC)
Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade
Phone: 204-945-5839 or Toll Free 1-800-282-8069
Fax: 204-945-1193
Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/pdfs/sbvctc_intro.pdf 
Search words: Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit, Manitoba

The Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit program provides a 30 per cent provincial income tax credit incentive to new equity investors in eligible Manitoba Businesses. An eligible investment can earn a 30 per cent, non-refundable provincial tax credit up to an annual limit of $135,000. Investors can claim up to $45,000 in provincial tax credits each year and carry forward any unused portion or the credits for 10 years.

Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C OJ7
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@canadabusiness.mb.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.mb.ca/

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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