Eight local entrepreneurs were awarded $40,000 in grants through the Prescott-Russell Starter Company Plus (PRSCP), delivered by the Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre. On Tuesday, March 24, families, friends, and mentors gathered at the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) council chambers in L’Orignal to celebrate the recipients, highlighting the region’s entrepreneurial spirit and success.

“Thanks to the program, entrepreneurs can develop their ideas and access resources that will help them grow their businesses. It is a privilege to see their projects take shape within our community,” said Project Officer at the Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre, Liza Langevin.

The Government of Ontario funds the PRSCP program, which supports entrepreneurs in launching, purchasing, or growing their businesses. Over the past few months, the eight entrepreneurs in the 2026 cohort participated in a series of workshops covering topics such as identifying the ideal customer, value proposition, marketing, and financial fundamentals, among others.

Mentors, entrepreneurs, families, and friends mingled after the grants were awarded. Photo: Philip Oddi.

Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Stéphane Sarrazin said, “Having been an entrepreneur myself, this program resonates with me personally. I know how important support, mentorship, and guidance are during the early stages of a project. To the recipients, continue to take bold steps, to innovate, and to believe in your projects.”

UCPR Warden Mario Zanth said to the cohort, “You have chosen to invest your time, energy, and expertise here in our region, convinced that it is a place worth building in. Every business established in our region plays an essential role in creating jobs, strengthening our local economy, and helping build strong, dynamic, and resilient communities.”

UCPR Warden Mario Zanth. Photo: Philip Oddi.

The 2026 recipients are as follows:

  • Brandon Roussel, Fresh Vues (Hawkesbury)
  • Destiny Lavoie, Clean Touch (Embrun)
  • Lyane Pennell, HIRA A Centre for Wellness Inc. (Russell)
  • Josée Dupuis, Willow Creek Gypsies (Hammond)
  • Ikram Ahmed, Siti Organic Skin (Embrun)
  • Tanya Dery, Box Homes (Bourget)
  • Erin Gurski, Copyrightlaws.com (Russell)
  • Kerry Smith, ApotheKerry & Co. (Russell)

The next application intake period will open in summer 2026. For more information, please visit: https://en.prescott-russell.on.ca/invest/entrepreneurship_centre/our_programs.