MISSION

The Centre local de développement's mission to encourage the development of economic activities by supporting local business initiatives.
 
This local development strategy echoes on the social fabric, by contributing to revitalize the waning community groups.

The CLD's goal is to assist in starting and expanding Verdun based businesses, so that jobs can be both maintained and created, while setting the grounds for a long standing local development strategy.

The objectives are:

- To assemble, coordinate and finance the various entrepreneurship assisting services; 

- To elaborate a local economic and employment action plan, with respect to the CRDIM (Conseil Régional de Développement de l'Ile de Montréal) strategic guidelines, among others;

- To elaborate an entrepreneurism strategy focused on development, including commercial social economy thus, with respect to the national and regional orientations, strategies and goals;

- To act as an advisory committee for its local (CLE) Centre local d'emploi;

- To carry out all other assignments, authorized by the Minister, from ministries or official organizations involved in local development;

ACTION PLAN

Le PLACÉE (Plan local d'action concerté pour l'économie et l'emploi) can be defined as a concerted measure, promoting local economy and employment, through concrete actions which focus on regional development and on the integration of entrepreneurism assisting organizations.

The CLD gives priority to these five development main lines:

1. The recreational / touristic sector:
The CLD aims at supporting the Verdun recreational / touristic market niche.

2.Cultural activities:
Developing cultural activities should reinforce the population's idendity and promote Verdun's artistic talents.

3.Renovations:
The CLD wants to encourage home renovations, as long as it doesn't mean a complete transformation, which would cost loosing actual residents on account of major rent increases. Improving the residential area's health conditions would reflect on the Verdun residents' living conditions.

Renovating also aims at turning around the Downtown Verdun image in order to curb departures, as present residents tend leave the area when their financial situation improves, and to attrack new comers.

4.Sub-contracting and local procurement
The CLD aims to help Verdun small enterprises take advantage of the business opportunities offered by the presence of larger companies, and to develop the proper strategies.

5. Creating enterprises where there is a strong workforce concentration, and training:
The CLD welcomes the implementation of enterprises where there is a strong workforce concentration, because they require a small capital per job created, and they are undemanding in terms of prerequisites, high or specific qualifications.

SERVICES

The CLD offers starting out coaching as well as technical and financial assistance to business entrepreneurs, whether they are emerging or settled, social economy trading included, and without distinction as to the age or the developmental stage of the enterprise.

Available Services:

- Introductory meetings, consulting, guidance and referral;

- Help build business plans, including pre-feasibility studies;

- Financial assistance canvassing;

- Direct financial support to very small and small businesses;

- Business entrepreneurial training

- Business Management advice

- Business coaching, contact development and networking

- Regular follow-ups are extended to the businesses the CLD supports financially, during their first three years of operations. 

FINANCING

The CLD manages three funds designated to fulfill its mission: Fonds local d'investissement (FLI), intended for business loans; Fonds d'économie sociale (FES); and Fonds jeunes promoteurs (FJP).

Fonds local d'investissement (FLI):

This local investment fund is a loan program concerning business starting individuals or operating businesses. The loan may amount to $ 5,000 and is redeemable over a maximum period of 5 years.

Click here for more details on FLI

Fonds d'économie sociale(FÉS):

This social economy fund is a subsidy program intended for non-profit organizations, involved in commercial social economic activities. The subsidies may reach a maximum of $ 25,000.

Click here for more details on FES

Fonds jeunes promoteurs(FJP):

This young promoters fund is intended for young adults (aged 18 to 35 inclusively) who are new at starting out their own business. The grant may reach $ 6,000.

Click here  for more details on FJP

FONDS LOCAL D'INVESTISSEMENT (FLI)

Principle:
FLI is a financial tool able to spur local business projects into existance and, in this sense, it intervenes proactively in local issues. This local investment fund encourages entrepreneurship and, in terms of development, it is intended to support project promoters in order to :

-Create and support viable enterprises;
- Finance starting or expanding enterprises;
- Support work development
- Contribute to the Verdun area's economic development 

Investment Pool:
The FLI targets below $5,000 investments as to promote business emergence and the creation or maintenance of viable employment. However, the Board of Directors may receive, for special dispensation and approval, requests exceeding the $5,000 maximum allowed, when they present a definite interest.

Activity Sectors:
Priority is given to the prime tertiary sector; manufacturing; those absent or scarce in the Verdun area; horticulture; call centres; tourism and retailing, particularly in these market niches : men and women top of the line clothing; average and top of the line footwear; fine cuisine; recreational, touristic and cultural activities; and house renovating projects. Projects must meet with " le PLACÉE " philosophy and its development main lines.


Eligible Businesses:
The enterprise must originate in Québec, i.e. that its main activity be rooted in the City of Verdun region, and that its Head Office be located in the Province of Québec, be it :

- The enterprise is a profit making corporate entity generating economic activities;
- It is mandatory that the promoters front a capital investment (10% to 20%) for starting projects, and it is expected in other situations;
- Present a formal FLI financing request, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. However, the Board of Directors may receive, for special dispensation and approval, requests exceeding the $5,000 maximum allowed, when they present a definite interest.

The enterprise has the duty to submit financial reports, and business or management plans for analysis when presenting a (FLI) Financing Request.


Admissible Expenses:
Capital expenditure such as buying land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock and incorporation fees or other similar expenses, except patronage.

Technological purchases, software or application programs, patents and other similar expenses, with the exclusion of research and development activities.

The required working capital based only on the first year's operations forecast, following the project.

Project related expenses incurred before the date at which the CLD receives a formal assistance application, are not admissable.


Duration:
Investments are generally authorized for a one to five-year period.

 

 

 

FONDS D'ÉCONOMIE SOCIAL (FÉS)



The term " social economic " comprises two concepts:

Social:
This notion refers to socially profitable, instead of purely economic activities. This profitability can be measured through its contribution to democratic development, by supporting an active population, by promoting values and initiatives towards the individual and community empowerment. Therefore, social profitability contributes to the betterment of the people's quality of life and welfare notably, by providing additional services.


Economy:
This concept pertains to the actual production of goods and services, using the enterprise as an organisational tool and contributing to a clear increase of the collective wealth.

Both concepts are subjected to the following operative rules: 
- The social economic organization's end is to supply goods and services to its members;
- The organization has a non-governmental, self-management status;
- The organization's general rules and by-laws stipulate a democratic decision process involving the employees and the clients;
- The organization advocates the primacy of individuals and employment over assets when distributing surplus and earnings;

The organization's activities are based on the principles of participation, empowerment and responsibility of the people, as individuals and as a community.

Starting out and established organizations must meet the following " Le PLACÉE " (Plan Local d'Action Concertée pour l'Emploi et l'Économie) criteria, in order to be recognized as eligible to be financed through the social economic fund:

1. A cooperative or non-profit corporation
2. A financially viable organization
3. An organization able to develop durable employment
4. An organization susceptible to produce self-generated revenues 
5. Have its Head Office in Verdun

Projects must have the following characteristics:
1. Persue social ends
2. Respond to the community's social economic needs
3. Adhere to the goals prescribed by the CLD Verdun, in its " Le PLACÉE " measure, or demonstrate the project's importance for the Verdun community.
4. Create employment where the pay and working conditions are similar to those found in equivalent sectors.
5. Aim at economic profitability

Admissible Expenses
The only admissible expenses, for the 2000-2001 fiscal year, are : equipment, machinery, new technology tools and rolling stock.

Financial Aid Assessment
The combined financial aid provided by the Provincial and Federal Governments and the CLD will not exceed 80% of the total starting or expansion costs. As of November 1st 2000 until the end of the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the granted FES ceiling amount is set at 25,000 $.
Childcare Centres may receive a maximum of 10,000 $.

Financing Nature 
The consented financial aid is, by nature, a non-recurrent subsidy.

 

 

FONDS JEUNES PROMOTEURS


Mission
Le Centre local de développement CLD de Verdun manages a young promoters fund (FJP) reserved to help young entrepreneurs create their first enterprise. This fund helps establish lucrative enterprises in the Verdun region, by providing financial and technical support.


Eligible Candidates:
1. Be a Canadian Citizen or a landed immigrant and be a permanent Québec resident;
2. Be at least 18 years old and 35, at the most;
3. Have experience or training related to the project;
4. Make the commitment to work full time for the enterprise;
5. Have a Verdun business address and hold a commercial lease or business occupation license;
6. Hold 50% of the business shares, if one or more of the associates are over 35 years old.


General Admissibility Conditions
1- Each financial contribution must be approved by the CLD Verdun. The promoter or group of promoters must fill an application form (See appendix I) and send it to the CLD Verdun;
2- Priority is given to the prime tertiary sector; manufacturing; those absent or scarce in the Verdun area; horticulture; call centres; tourism and retailing, particularly in these market niches : men and women top of the line clothing; average and top of the line footwear; fine cuisine and the sectors found in the CLD's "Le P.L.A.C.É.E.". Primary, recreational, touristic and recycling activity sectors are handled in second place.
3- The request's official date takes effect on the day and date the application form is received at the CLD offices. The business plan must follow within the subsequent six months.
4- The entrepreneur must demonstrate, to the CLD's satisfaction, that a financial assistance is essential to realize the project;


Admissible expenses
The admissible expenses pertain to capital expenditure such as buying land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock and incorporation fees or other similar expenses, except patronage.

Technological purchases, software or application programs, patents and other similar expenses, with the exclusion of research and development activities.

The required working capital based only on the first year's operations forecast, following the project.


Amount:
$6,000 is the maximum amount allowed per business project. However, the Board of Directors may receive, for special dispensation and approval, requests exceeding this maximum, when they present a definite interest.

ASSOCIATES

The Centre local de développement de Verdun has created a consortium, grouping together the various local entrepreneurism specialists. The CLD is proud to introduce these organizations:

- Cégep André-Laurendeau
- Collège d'informatique et d'administration de Verdun
- Les Déjeuners d'André
- SAJE Montréal-métro
- Services d'intégration Professionnelle - Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Verdun
- Société de développement commercial Wellington
- Centre local d'emploi de Verdun
- Le Centre d'affaires de Verdun 

Cégep André-Laurendeau

Products and services:
- Provide training for the new entrepreneur and the self-employed. The training format aims at acquiring the necessary skills, abilities and knowledge to run a business. Using hands-on workshop methods, the subject range covers, for instance, business plans, communications, marketing, advertising, promotion, customer service, financing, accounting, legal issues, business management, WEB transactions and export;
- Business diagnosis;
- Entrepreneurial awareness; 
- "Le concours québécois en entrepreneurship", A contest opportunity to become The Entrepreneur of Montreal Island's south-west region;
- Train the Trainers program;
- Customized training programs;
- Conseils d'administration Virtuels ® (Virtual Boards of Directors).

N.B. For more details on each of these activities, you may contact Maria Teresa Hillar.

1111, Lapierre st., LaSalle (Quebec) H8N 2J4
Tel.: (514) 364-3320, ext. 406
Email: mhillar@claurendeau.qc.ca
Web site: www.claurendeau.qc.ca
Assistance in English, available within our services

Collège d'informatique et d'administration de Verdun

This College offers training activities suited for business development initial stages. Designed and given by business people, it is a practical and stimulating entrepreneurial training.

The College offers workshops such as:
- From conception to action;
- Profession : Me Inc.;
- Launching an enterprise via the Internet;
- The Internet, a business place;
- Sales, practical questions.

NEW!
Learning at your own pace, using the Web. For further information, visit the multi-media presentation at: infoweb.csdhr.qc.ca/lancement

Louise Joly
1240, Moffat st., Verdun (Quebec) H4H 1Y9
Tel.: (514) 765-7604 or (514) 761-8022
Email: louise.joly@csmb.qc.ca
Web site: www.csmb.qc.ca

Les Déjeuners d'André

Les Déjeuners d'André were created to help micro-entrepreneurs break the isolation syndrome and develop a contact, support and friendship network. These breakfasts are conducted according to the following basic rules:
- Participants buy their own breakfast;
- Each speaks in turn, when invited to do so and avoids taking too long, considering the limited time span allowed for an early morning activity;
- Each one is free to express his/her thoughts and, is responsible for his/her actions and words;
- Subjects are discussed ad lib, but they must not instigate lengthy debates;
- Segregation and racism are entirely prohibited.

(Serving micro-businesses)
Déjeuners d'André inc. (a business breakfast club-like activity)
Web site: www.arvox.ca/da

SAJE Montréal-métro

SAJE Montréal-métro stands for "Assistance to the Young Entrepreneur". It offers a wide range of programs and services designed to help starting out businesses.

Preliminary Project Analysis:
-
Information regarding entrepreneurship;
- Assessment of the project's commercial and financial possibilities;
- Guidance services.

Advice, training and support for business starters:
- Business plan building assistance;
- Various technical and financial support activities during the starting out period;
- Guidance concerning private financing.

Business services:
- Market studies and Marketing plans;
- Projected Financial Statements;
- Management Seminars.

Follow up services

SAJE Montréal-métro
4400, LaSalle blvd., Verdun (Quebec) H4G 2A8
Tel.: (514) 362-0177, Fax:362-8199
 
Web Site: www.sajemontrealmetro.com

Services d'intégration Professionnelle - Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Verdun

This organization offers free and personalized services to young adults, between the ages of 18 and 35.
- Entrepreneurship counseling;
- Entrepreneurship awareness;
- Business projects' identification;
- Referral services to organizations focused on starting out business support;
- Establish cooperatives for the self-employed;
- Counseling and guidance services.

4005, Wellington st., Verdun (Quebec) H4G 1Y7
Tel.: (514) 767-9971, Fax: (514) 767-5707
Email: courrier@sipcje.org

Société de développement commercial Wellington

A community economic development corporation, the Sdc Wellington, along with its many professional consultants, may help you out in managing your business. Questions are handled confidentially and members are entitled to these services without costs. Should you wish to develop your abilities or obtain personalized guidance services, do not hesitate to contact us regarding:
- Marketing;
- Customer Service;
- Financial Management;
- Personnel Management;
- Staffing.

Management tool kits:
- The Mystery Customer;
- The employees' welcome document;
- Source studies;
- The Marketing Kit;
- Statistics on the south-west region.

On-going training services :
- Seminars;
- Breakfast Forums.

4004, Wellington st., suite 201, Verdun (Quebec)
Tel.: (514) 766-6437, Fax: (514) 761-0114

Centre local d'emploi de Verdun

The (CLE), Verdun Employment Centre, offers business managers a technical and financial assistance, in order to help them :
- Adapt to changes, liable to affect their enterprise;
- Improve their administrative practices;
- Improve personnel management.

The role of the business consultant is to guide you in identifying your needs and, in finding the proper authority to help meet your expectations.

We also offer:
- Occupational integration income subsidies;
- Electronic hiring services;
- Information on the 1% Act (in favor of developing training and labour).

Business consultant, (514) 864-6646, ext. 281

Self-employment assistance
Emploi-Québec heads the Soutien au travail autonome measure through the CLE and CLD Centres, respectively : Centres Locaux d'Emploi and Centres Locaux de Développement. These intermediaries provide assistance during the initial stages of starting out in business. You may benefit from the Soutien au travail autonome measure, if:
- You intend to create or acquire an enterprise;
- You are not eligible to another business starting out program;
- The support provided by the measure is essential to succeed in your project.

Assistance comes in two ways : Technical support and Financial Support, as the case may be. For more information concerning the eligibility criteria, you may contact one of the employment agents at the Centre local d'emploi.

1055, Galt ave., Verdun H4G 2R1.
Tel.: (514) 864-6646.

Le Centre d'affaires de Verdun 

Le Centre d'affaires de Verdun makes it its mission to create a fostering milieu for viable micro-businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs. It allows starting businesses and entrepreneurs to benefit from a business centre at advantageous professional and material conditions. In an environment favorable to contact development and networking, the Centre d'affaires de Verdun caters mainly to:
- Traveling workers;
- New and young entrepreneurs;
- Home office workers;
- Self-employed workers;
-
Micro-businesses;
- Professionals.

4400, LaSalle blvd., Verdun (Quebec) H4G 2A8
Tel.: 514-362-1555, Fax:362-8199
Email: info@centreaffairesverdun.com

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