Eight entrepreneurs from Prescott-Russell have been awarded grants totalling $40,000 from the Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) as part of the Starter Company Plus program.
As part of the program, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, these Entrepreneurs attended training workshops. These workshops were offered by business coaches Antoine Carrière of Entrepreneur Lifestyle Academy and Marc Lecompte of Kwik Tax.
In addition to taking part in these workshops, the participants developed their business plans and delivered a pitch to a Selection Committee to be chosen to receive a grant of $5,000. This Committee consisted of Louis Béland of the Eastern Ontario Training Board, Renée Gendron of the Paro Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Victor-Urbain Ngollo Ngollo of Cité des affaires, and Halima Taouaou of the Société Économique de l’Ontario.
This financial assistance will help businesses with equipment and inventory purchases, marketing expenses, as well as costs related to business start-up and expansion.
“During these training workshops, the Entrepreneurs planned the next operational steps of their business and exchanged ideas with each other, enabling them to forge relationships, develop a professional network, and acquire relevant knowledge,” said PREC Project Officer Liza Langevin.
The eight grant recipients are Karine Lalonde – Hair & Extensions by K of Fournier, Stephanie Pete – Art & Dream Studio Vankleek Hill, Paul Latreille & Sylvie Rochon – Chin Chin Coffee Roasters of Russell, Eric and Ines Batterton – My Nordic Garden of Hawkesbury, Elisabeth Arbaud – CàB Café of Chute-à-Blondeau, Bailey Playfair – Playfair Cleaning Services of Rockland, and Evelina Bosse – So Special Bakery of Plantagenet.
The Starter Company Plus program provides financial support and learning opportunities to launch a new business, expand an existing business, or purchase a business. A new application period for the program will begin in late summer 2024.
The PREC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in Prescott and Russell succeed in their start-up or expansion projects.
