| Centre Wellington Small Business Centre |
| The Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington (BCGW) is one of 57 Small Business Enterprise Centres across the Province with a very clear and simple mandate: “To help people start and grow businesses”. With the support of the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth for the Province of Ontario, the City of Guelph and Wellington County, BCGW provides free one-hour consultations with a business advisor, a suite of training seminars and hosts a variety of events each year to improve the economic health and wealth of the communities it serves.
It is the mission of BCGW to be the gateway to business ownership through experiential and practical support for business owners. The Centre provides practical advice, coaching and training to those seeking to start and grow businesses, from experienced business owners.
As part of the BCGW, the Centre Wellington Small Business Centre, located at 160 Provost Lane in Downtown Fergus is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. You can call 519-826-4701 to book your consultation. |
| Wellington Waterloo Community Futures |
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The Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures (WWCF) is a not-for-profit organization supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). We offer support, financing and training for rural businesses in Wellington County and the Region of Waterloo.
Focusing on job creation through strategic planning, Community Futures provides funding and advisory services to area businesses. Economic development support, business consulting, and loans are available to businesses and residents of rural areas of the County of Wellington and the Region of Waterloo.
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Innovation Guelph
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Innovation Guelph acts to cultivate entrepreneurship, powerful partnerships, and innovative initiatives that transform the way we do things in business and in our communities.
Innovation Guelph is building prosperity for community wellbeing by providing mentorship and business support services that help innovate enterprises “Start, Grow and Thrive”.
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Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce
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The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven non-profit organization that:
- Serves as a community resource to promote and maintain business growth through advocacy, networking and educational opportunities.
- Helps improve Centre Wellington by helping local businesses thrive. When local businesses are succeeding, the local economy flourishes and businesses can better support local charities, events, and their employees.
- Acts as an ethical information resource for local commerce, business and professionals.
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Elora BIA
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Perched on the edge of a spectacular gorge and nestled along the banks of the Grand & Irvine River lies the enchanting village of Elora, Ontario, the most beautiful village in Ontario.
The Elora BIA is here to provide beautification and marketing support for the downtown Elora area, and advocates on behalf of the business community.
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Fergus BIA
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Beautiful Downtown Fergus Ontario - the most Scottish Town in Canada! Built on the Grand River, Fergus boasts historic buildings, natural beauty, and community pride.
Over 180 businesses are part of the Downtown Fergus Business Improvement Area. If you own a business in Downtown Fergus, you are automatically a member of the Fergus BIA by virtue of your location. Your input and assistance with our activities are very welcome. Please do not hesitate to call should you have any questions.
The Fergus BIA is always expanding on the beautification of the Riverwalk and Templin Gardens with our participation in the Lighting of the Grans, Sculpture Project, new bike racks, flowers and picnic tables on the look-out. As with every year we hope to grow our beautification projects.
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BizPaL
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BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licenses and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow their business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments.
Benefits of BizPaL
Finding out which government requirements apply to a certain business type can be time consuming and frustrating. BizPaL was created to help identify what you may require, quickly and easily. The information you need is available from a single source; entrepreneurs spend less time dealing with red tape - saving effort and money in the process - and more time building their business. The service is the result of strong collaboration between the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments and is designed with the following benefits in mind:
- It is free to use;
- It saves time; and,
- It is available 24/7.
Launch to BizPaL service.
If you are experiencing issues or have questions about BizPaL, please contact us.
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Mental Health Resources for Businesses
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| Tourism Marketing Fund |
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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 is created in 2023 as a pilot program, aiming at supporting Centre Wellington’s Festivals and Events in implementing marketing and promotion initiatives that are able to attract visitors from 40 km+.
| Eligibility |
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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, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Applicants must show proof of expenses incurred (qualified third-party invoices) and these should be documented in the Tourism Marketing Fund - 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
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| Application Process and Deadlines |
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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 their project’s approval.
Applications must be submitted online, by clicking the application form link.
As a pilot program, in its first year of implementation, the Tourism Marketing Fund will review applications continually on a rolling basis and provide funding to successful applicants until funds for the program are exhausted.
All applicants will go through a process of screening and assessment against the eligibility criteria before approval.
Applicants can be notified to revise or clarify elements of their application, which will then be re-assessed.
Successful applicants will be notified within 15 business days after the application’s submission.
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| Evaluation Criteria |
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-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: showcasing 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
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| Funding |
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The funding agreement will be signed by the lead 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 - Report to Elora & Fergus Tourism no later than 60 days from the completion of the project.
The Report form will be provided to successful applicants upon signature of the MOU.
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| The Tourism Marketing Fund at a Glance |
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- For expenses incurred between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023
- Maximum request of $500
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted
- Applications submitted online through the application form
- 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
jcarrolo@centrewellington.ca
519-846-9691 x380
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Tourism Sustainability Fund
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Background
Elora & Fergus Tourism strives to promote the sustainable growth of Centre Wellington as a tourism destination, following international best practices to generate positive impacts on the community and the local economy.
As part of their commitment to sustainability, Elora & Fergus Tourism recently became one of the first Canadian destinations to join the Global Destination 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 is created in 2023 as a pilot program, aiming at supporting Centre Wellington’s tourism operators in implementing and promoting sustainability strategies in their programs and events.
| Eligibility |
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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, 2023 – December 31, 2023. 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 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
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| Application Process and Deadlines |
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Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project, 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 their project’s approval.
Applications must be submitted online, by clicking the application form.
As a pilot program, in its first year of implementation, the Tourism Sustainability Fund will review applications continually on a rolling basis and provide funding to successful applicants until funds for the program are exhausted.
All applicants will go through a process of screening and assessment against the eligibility criteria before approval.
Applicants can be notified to revise or clarify elements of their application, which will then be re-assessed.
Successful applicants will be notified within 15 business days after the application’s submission.
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| Evaluation Criteria |
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-Projects must be implemented as a specific program or initiative, and not as 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 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
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| Funding |
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The funding agreement will be signed by the lead 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.
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| Evaluation Reporting |
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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.
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| The Tourism Sustainability Fund at a Glance |
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- For expenses incurred between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023
- Maximum request of $1,500
- Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted
- Applications submitted online through the application form
- 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
jcarrolo@centrewellington.ca
519-846-9691 x380
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| Digital Excellence Centre |
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The 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:
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| Elora & Fergus Destination Animation Project |
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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. The Elora & Fergus Destination Animation Project (DAP) looks to the create or enhance bigger and better projects that showcase the DNA of the region: natural setting, heritage, and arts and culture. DAP projects are intended to be highly shareable and create unique experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Background
The Destination Animation Strategic Co-Investment Project was first launched by The Township of Centre Wellington and Regional Tourism Organization Four (RTO4) in 2017 with $13,000 and resulted in a combined investment of approximately $40,000 in 2017 for a total of 6 unique and highly successful projects. The first year was a success with new events created such as "Twilight at Templin" and "Rappelling and Riverfeast" along with enhancements to existing events such as the Bissel Quick Paint Competition. Due to the successful program in 2017 and enthusiasm from the community, the program has continued with the creation of 13 new events and projects.
| Eligibility |
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Eligible organizations include:
- Festivals and Events
- For-profit or non-profit organizations
- Tourism enterprises, BIA's and businesses (as individual organizations or as a consortium) with interests in nature, arts & culture, heritage, agri-culinary, sports, meetings & conventions, etc.
Ineligible requests include:
- Capital/Infrastructure expenses
- Regular operational expenses
- Charitable contributions
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Application Process and Deadlines
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The application process for the Destination Animation Project 2023 is currently under revision.
More information to come soon.
For any questions regarding DAP please contact:
Joao Carrolo
Tourism and Destination Development Coordinator
Office: 519-846-9691 ext. 380
Email: jcarrolo@centrewellington.ca
Karen Mitchell
Destination Project Manager at RTO4
Office: 519-271-7000 ext. 102
Email: karen@rto4.ca
| Evaluation Criteria |
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The evaluation criteria for the Destination Animation Project 2023 is currently under revision.
More information to come soon.
For any questions regarding DAP please contact:
Joao Carrolo
Tourism and Destination Development Coordinator
Office: 519-846-9691 ext. 380
Email: jcarrolo@centrewellington.ca
Karen Mitchell
Destination Project Manager at RTO4
Office: 519-271-7000 ext. 102
Email: karen@rto4.ca
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Due Diligence
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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
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