The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has announced a new chapter of the Starter Company Plus Program.

It’s called Miinikaanan Badakidoon, which means “to plant seeds” in Anishnaawbe from the Lake Nipigon dialect. The program will help fund Indigenous lead businesses and entrepreneurs across Northwestern Ontario and will provide business training, mentoring, and grant funding.

“The Thunder Bay CEDC recognizes the importance of supporting and growing Indigenous based businesses,” states Eric Zakrewski, CEO, Thunder Bay CEDC. “Providing a new stream of funding that furthers our support of Indigenous owned and operated business is crucial to bolstering the strength and diversity of our
economy.

“The Starter Company Plus program has been around since 2014, and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs in our region, covering areas from Atikokan to Greenstone. The new funding stream is a source of new potential, reflecting both entrepreneurship and growth.”

$50,000 in grants will be available through the program, which will help 10 entrepreneurs in launching their business, expand their operations, or purchase an existing business.

Applications have opened up, and can be found here.

Program delivery will begin in the new year, and applications will close Jan. 7, 2021.