Township of Centre Wellington Resources
For Township Financial Incentives, click here.
Start and Grow Your Business
Start and Grow Your Business
There are plenty of resources available on a municipal, provincial and federal level to help you understand the ins and outs of starting and running your own business.
Township of Centre Wellington Resources
Centre Wellington is committed to helping businesses grow. Our Economic Development Department can connect you with the right people and walk you through the permits and processes to help your business move forward seamlessly. Looking for a new or larger location? We will work with local realtors, landowners and businesses to connect you to the location that is right for you.
View Available Properties here.
For Township Financial Incentives, click here.
To view the Business Supports in Centre Wellington infographic, click here.
Provincial Resources
- Province of Ontario Resources
- Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade supports a strong, innovative economy that can provide jobs, opportunities and prosperity for all Ontarians.
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supports and prioritizes the sectors that keep rural communities economically successful. Information on how to start a commercial food business as well as a home-based food business.
Federal Resources
- Government of Canada Resources
- FedDev Ontario is a one-stop shop for information on how to start and grow businesses in Canada – tons of information from being an entrepreneur to accessing investment capital.
- Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) - access grants and expertise to transform your business.
Live and Work in Centre Wellington
Your new home, career and life are waiting for you in Centre Wellington. Live and Work Centre Wellington connects job & home seekers with opportunities and properties in the communities of Elora and Fergus.
Our interactive map and listings is a one-stop location for the region’s employment and property listings, connecting you with the job you need and accommodations for sale or rent nearby.
Tourism Business Resources
Background
Elora & Fergus Tourism aims at playing an active role in supporting the local economy and contributing to making Centre Wellington a welcoming and lively place to live and visit.
Festivals and Events are responsible for attracting thousands of visitors a year to Centre Wellington, generating positive impacts on the local economy as well as contributing to building close-knit and animated communities.
The Tourism Marketing Fund aims to support Centre Wellington’s Festivals and Events implementing marketing and promotion initiatives that can attract visitors from 40 km+.
Eligibility
Applicants must be visitor-friendly organizations, located in Centre Wellington.
Eligible organizations include:
- Festivals and Events
- Not-for-profit community organizations
- Business Associations
Eligible projects can request funding to a maximum of $500 to help support their event marketing initiatives.
Expenses are to be incurred between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Applicants must show proof of expenses incurred (qualified third-party invoices) and these should be documented in the Tourism Marketing Fund - Final Report.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Marketing collateral (design and/or production of postcards, flyers, posters, etc.)
- Content production (video, photography, text, etc.)
- Paid advertising (either printed, for audiovisual or digital media)
Ineligible requests include:
- Capital/Infrastructure expenses
- Regular operational expenses
- Charitable contributions
Application Process and Deadlines
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their initiative, questions, and eligibility before applying, using the contact information provided.
The application must be completed in its entirety. Applicants must keep in mind that failure to provide any requested information could affect the Selection Committee's final decision regarding the project.
Applications must be submitted online, no later than April 15, 2024, by clicking the application form link.
All applicants will go through a process of screening and assessment against the eligibility criteria. The Selection Committee will assess applications and agree upon a final shortlist for approval. Organizations are welcome to submit more than one application. Applicants can be notified to revise or clarify elements of their application to the Selection Committee, which will then re-assess the application.
Successful applicants will be notified no later than April 22, 2024.
Evaluation Criteria
- Promotion initiatives must be designed for a specific festival or event, and not as part of the organization’s regular operations.
- Must clearly demonstrate the contribution to attract visitors to Centre Wellington from 40km+ locations.
- Events promoted are aligned with Elora & Fergus destination’s DNA: natural setting, heritage, and Arts & Culture.
- Promotion initiatives are part of a cohesive marketing plan.
- Initiatives are designed considering sustainable, eco-friendly practises.
Due Diligence
Before proceeding to funding, Elora & Fergus Tourism will undertake due diligence on the lead organizations. The due diligence assesses if potential applicants meet minimum criteria for:
- Governance, risk management and internal controls
- Financial status, procurement and financial management
- Programmatic capability and readiness to deliver
Funding
The funding agreement will be signed by the applicant organization and Elora & Fergus Tourism.
Successful applications’ funding will be issued after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Elora & Fergus Tourism and the successful applicant.
In case the organization fails to deliver any of the items stipulated in the MOU or fails to provide proof of incurred expenses, Elora & Fergus Tourism reserves the right to request the return of the funding amount in its entirety.
Reporting
Organizations that receive funding are required to provide the Tourism Marketing Fund - Final Report to Elora & Fergus Tourism no later than 60 days from the completion of the project.
The Final Report form will be provided to successful applicants upon signature of the MOU.
The Tourism Marketing Fund at a Glance
- For expenses incurred between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024
- Maximum request of $500
- Applications submitted online through the application form
- Deadline for applications: April 15, 2024
- Report to be submitted in the 60 days after the project's completion
Questions?
Feel free to email or call if you require any clarification.
Joao Carrolo
Elora & Fergus Tourism and Destination Development Coordinator
email
519-846-9691 x380
Background
Elora & Fergus Tourism strives to promote the sustainable growth of Centre Wellington as a tourism destination, following international best practises to generate positive impacts on the community and the local economy.
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Elora & Fergus Tourism became one of the first Canadian destinations to join the Global Destinations Sustainability Movement, an international group of organizations designing innovative strategies that look at Tourism as a driver for change and an enabler of thriving communities.
The Tourism Sustainability Fund aims to support Centre Wellington's tourism operators in implementing and promoting sustainability strategies in their programs and events.
Eligibility
Applicants must be visitor-friendly organizations, located in Centre Wellington.
Eligible organizations include:
- Tourism enterprises, businesses, and business associations (either as individual organizations or as a consortium)
- Festivals and Events
- Not-for-profit community organizations
Eligible projects can request funding to a maximum of $1,500 and need to clearly demonstrate how their implementation will support sustainable tourism and contribute to the social, cultural, economic, and/or environmental sustainability of Centre Wellington as a thriving tourism destination.
Expenses are to be incurred between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Applicants must show proof of expenses incurred (qualified third-party invoices) and these should be documented in the Tourism Sustainability Fund - Final Project Report.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Initiatives that strive to mitigate an event's carbon footprint such as the promotion of active transportation or the use of smart traveling options.
- Initiatives that promote the efficient use of energy and strive to introduce change by reducing the use of plastics, promoting the usage of bio-degradable materials and circular practises.
- Education campaigns on the reduction of consumption and waste, and the adoption of green alternatives.
- Initiatives that support the conservation of natural heritage and biodiversity.
- Initiatives that respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance.
Ineligible requests include:
- Capital/Infrastructure expenses
- Regular operational expenses
- Charitable contributions
Application Process and Deadlines
Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their initiative, questions, and eligibility before applying, using the contact information provided.
The application must be completed in its entirety. Applicants must keep in mind that failure to provide any requested information could affect the Selection Committee's final decision regarding the project.
Applications must be submitted online, no later than April 15, 2024, by clicking the application form link.
All applicants will go through a process of screening and assessment against the eligibility criteria. The Selection Committee will assess applications and agree upon a final shortlist for approval. Organizations are welcome to submit more than one application. Applicants can be notified to revise or clarify elements of their application to the Selection Committee, which will then re-assess the application.
Successful applicants will be notified no later than April 22, 2024.
Evaluation Criteria
- Projects must be implemented as a specific program or initiative, and not part of the organization's regular operations.*
- *Innovations introduced to regular operations as a pilot project that is expected to improve the organization's practises from a sustainable perspective can be considered.
- Must clearly demonstrate the contribution to the social, cultural, economic, and/or environmental sustainability of Centre Wellington as a thriving tourism destination.
- Demonstrates alignment with international sustainable tourism best practises.
- Demonstrates feasibility.
- Projects are innovative and able to be adapted or replicated by other organizations in Centre Wellington.
- Projects are able to inspire transformation in the visitor and resident communities.
Due Diligence
Before proceeding to funding, Elora & Fergus Tourism will undertake due diligence on the applicant organization. The due diligence assesses if potential applicants meet minimum criteria for:
- Governance, risk management, and internal controls
- Financial status, procurement, and financial management
- Programmatic capability and readiness to deliver
Funding
The funding agreement will be signed by the applicant organization and Elora & Fergus Tourism.
Successful applications’ funding will be issued after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Elora & Fergus Tourism and the successful applicant.
In case the organization fails to deliver any of the items stipulated in the MOU or fails to provide proof of incurred expenses, Elora & Fergus Tourism reserves the right to request the return of the funding amount in its entirety.
Reporting
Organizations that receive funding are required to provide the Tourism Sustainability Fund - Final Project Report to Elora & Fergus Tourism no later than 60 days from the completion of the project.
The Final Project Report form will be provided to successful applicants upon signature of the MOU.
The Tourism Sustainability Fund at a Glance
- For expenses incurred between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024
- Maximum request of $1,500
- Applications submitted online through the application form
- Deadline for applications: April 15, 2024
- Report to be submitted in the 60 days after the project's completion
Questions?
Feel free to email or call if you require any clarification.
Joao Carrolo
Elora & Fergus Tourism and Destination Development Coordinator
email
519-846-9691 x380
he Digital Excellence Centre has been providing no cost digital support to Elora Fergus businesses and operators to improve their digital presence. The Digital Excellence Centre aims to support you in your digital improvements, knowledge and ideas. Join now to learn about the benefits available – including grant funding to participants!
Contact Charlotte@RTO4.ca for more information and further assistance.
As part of the RTO4 Digital Excellence Program the following Digital Excellence one pagers were created to show operators where visitors access their information. Leveraging Digital Excellence has never been more important, and it all begins with digital hygiene. Digital Hygiene refers to the foundation of a digital presence – the basic building blocks of creating the most impact with your digital assets. Thus, RTO4 built these one-pagers around three main building blocks:
Winter Experience Development Program
Background
The Destination Animation Strategic Co-Investment Project was first launched by The Township of Centre Wellington, Elora & Fergus Tourism, and Regional Tourism Organization Four (RTO4) in 2017. It has supported the launch of highly successful projects, creating unique experiences and elevating Elora &Fergus as a singular, lively destination.
After successfully running for 6 years, the project is adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the Tourism sector and the growth the destination has experienced in recent years.
Elora & Fergus Tourism and RTO4 worked on a revised version of this project but the goals remain the same: to showcase the DNA of the region, creating unique experiences for residents and visitors alike.
The new Winter Experience Development Program strives to amplify tourism opportunities beyond peak season, in line with the goal of creating an "Always ON", thriving destination.
Application Process and Deadlines
The Winter Experience Development Fund 2023-2024 is closed.
This funding opportunity was received with great enthusiasm by Centre Wellington's tourism operators and supported the development of many exciting projects.
Stay tuned for the opening of the 2024-2025 edition!
Questions?
Feel free to email or call if you require any clarification.
Joao Carrolo
Elora & Fergus Tourism - Destination Development Coordinator
email
519-846-9691 x380
Karen Mitchell
RTO4 Destination Project Manager
karen@rto4.ca
519-271-7000 x102
Economic Development - General Inquiry
1 MacDonald Square, Elora,
Ontario, Canada, N0B 1S0
Phone: 519.846.9691 x303
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