The Rural Economic Development (RED) Program has been Renewed!

The Rural Economic Development (RED) program was put on hold in 2011 because of “fiscal circumstances” said Rural Affairs Minister Jeffrey Leal, but is being renewed as part of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s initiative to invest in rural Ontario. – Laura Armstrong, Ottawa Citizen

The RED Program has up to $4.5 million funding per year for three years to help rural communities remove barriers to community development and promote economic growth to support sustainable rural economies and regions, while developing capacity, tools and flexibility they need to become stronger, more prosperous communities.

Eligible Applicants must demonstrate how the project will benefit rural Ontario and have the experience and knowledge to complete the project. Eligible applicants include: municipalities, community or not-for-profit organizations, industry and economic development associations, regional organizations, businesses, corporations, First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and other broader public sector organizations.

The RED Program has two streams:
1. Planning Stream: Rural, regional and community projects that help rural communities and regions build a foundation for economic growth and investment.
2. Implementation Stream: Strengthening rural and regional economic competitiveness to support the implementation of projects that have been identified through some form of evidence-based planning processes and to contribute to economic competitiveness.

Eligible Projects:
Planning Stream: Rural, Regional and Community
1. Economic Development Plans/Strategies
2. Research and/or Analysis to Support Planning and Priority-Setting

Implementation Stream: Strengthening Rural and Regional Economic Competitiveness
1. Business/Sector Development and Diversification
2. Regional Marketing, Promotional and/or Branding Activities
3. Human Capital and Skills Development, Attraction and Retention

Funding:
RED projects are cost-shared, with the provincial government investing up to 50 per cent of the project’s eligible cost, or up to 90 per cent in limited circumstances. There is no cap on the amount of funding per approved eligible project under the RED Program. However, the total funds available under the Program are limited to up to $4.5 million per year. Funding may be awarded at the full amount requested, or at a reduced amount, based on the funds available or an assessment of the project.

Application and Review Period for 2013: Program start (now) to October 31, 2013; November 1 to December 31, 2013.

Contact Onager Solutions today for more information and check out our One-Page summary on the program!
Onager One Pager – RED Program

Program Available Soon – Youth Employment Fund to Open in September!

The Youth Employment Fund is funded by the Ontario government and will be available through Employment Ontario’s Employment Service network on September 23, 2013. The goal of the program is to help employers find the skilled workers they need and to assist young people gain job skills and experience.

Participants in the program must be between 15 and 29, and will receive job placements that will provide more opportunities for youth to build skills and confidence, get valuable work experience and connect with employers.

Funding: Employers will receive incentives to help cover the cost of wages and training for new hires when they provide a job placement of 4 to 6 months.

• Employers can receive up to $6,800 to offset training and wage costs related to job placement.
• Incentives are also meant to support on-the-job training and to offset the risk of hiring youth employees with less experience.
• If needed, the selected candidate may receive up to $1,000 to cover costs like transportation to work and tools for the job.

Stay tuned for more information to come and contact Onager Solutions if you are interested in the Youth Employment Fund!

Mike made the news! Check out this article in Kawartha Lakes This Week!

Summer Company past participant pays experience forward
Onager Solutions Inc. president Mike Janke in third year as a mentor with youth entrepreneurship program
August 02, 2013
By: Catherine Whitnall

(LINDSAY) Mike Janke hasn’t been on a wakeboard for a while, but the lessons he learned teaching others the skill continue to serve him well.

Eight years ago, Mr. Janke became a Summer Company participant, running a wakeboard school; his first business.

Supported through the Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, the Summer Company encourages students to start and run their own business, while receiving hands-on coaching and mentoring from local business leaders.

The program not only helped offset the risks of being an entrepreneur – participants can receive up to $3,000 in funding assistance – but also helped Mr. Janke pay for his economics studies at the University of Waterloo.

After graduating, he worked for a marketing firm for two years before launching his own business, Onager Solutions Inc. The company supports companies that are looking to grow their businesses and leverage government funding, assisting with everything from concept development and grant writing, to project management and compliance reporting. Since 2010, the company has secured roughly $2 million in alternative grant funding for clients.

“My first experience with dealing with government grants actually came from being involved with the Summer Company,” he noted.

Three years ago, Mr. Janke decided to share his experiences with other budding entrepreneurs and became a program mentor.

“it’s a very valuable experience to be a mentor. I look at it as, not just a volunteer, but I get a lot out of it too,” said Mr. Janke. “It’s a team approach…It’s been educational for me, too, talking to and listening to the other mentors.”

Carter Gooch, one of 10 students selected to take part in this year’s Summer Company program, is glad to have Mr. Janke in his corner.

What started off as a hobby quickly developed into a business idea for the 17-year-old.

“I developed a website for someone and it just went from there,” said Carter of Ink. Creative Design that provides creative services, such as web design, branding, graphics, visuals and marketing, to businesses and individuals.

“It’s providing me with good skills for the future,” said Carter, who plans to continue running the business after he returns to I.E. Weldon Secondary School with post-secondary plans of studying graphic communication.

Ultimately, Carter would like to work for a software company, but isn’t ruling out becoming an entrepreneur like his mentor; he already has helped two clients launch websites.

“This program can help anyone who is planning on starting their own business make the best decisions because you already have first-hand experience. You’ve already mitigated that risk fact. You look back and say, I’ve done this before. I can believe in myself,” said Mr. Janke, noting his summer experience even helped him while at university. “When I’d be sitting in class…I would always come back to my experience in the program and when I was running my own business.”

New team member for Onager Solutions

We are excited to announce a new team member for Onager! Brian Rump has experience in the Finance sector, and will join our team in August as a Funding Specialist. Brian has knowledge of local businesses and is familiar with the Kawartha Lakes area.

Brian’s prior work experience at BMO as a Commercial Services Officer and Account Manager will offer a new area of expertise for Onager. Brian holds an Honours degree from Trent University and a Business diploma from Fleming College. With a focus in Finance, Brian will provide insight and advice to our current and prospective clients on choosing the correct funding programs in order to advance their business.

We are looking forward to the additional team member and the excitement it will bring Onager! Check out Brian’s profile and stay tuned for a website update with more details!
BrianRump Funding Specialist – Profile

Career Focus – Digital Economy Strategy Initiative: $20,000

Feel like technology is moving too fast? Get up to speed and utilize the wonders of the web through the Career Focus Program!

Fostering innovation and creating the right environment for businesses to thrive is part of Canada’s strategy to remain competitive in the global economy. If your business is part of the digital economy or wishing to expand into it, this is just the program for you. Career focus has set its priority to align with the Digital Economy Strategy; with a 50% contribution ratio they will fund the employment of a full-time recent post secondary graduate to the max. of $20,000 to assist Canadian businesses in effectively utilizing and integrating new digital technologies.

For more information on the the Career Focus DES program click here: Career Focus DES Initiative

AIME North – Training Funding for Northern Ontario Manufacturers

The Yves Landry Foundation in partnership with the Government of Canada recognizes that Ontario must improve its competitiveness. And it recognizes that it is a shared responsibility between government, industry and education. So in partnership with the Government of Canada, proudly supported by FedNor, the Yves Landry Foundation is making available up to $50,000 per company in the form of a grant to foster training that will lead to advancements in innovation within the manufacturing sector in Northern Ontario.

For more information AIME North Initiative

50% Wage Subsidy for Youth Intern for Northern Ontario Businesses

Does your business need assistance with engaging in the digital economy and innovation? Is your business looking to improve productivity or reach new markets? There is funding available to support your endeavours.

FedNor provides financial support to qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to hire post secondary graduates to assist Northern Ontario SME’s innovate and engage in the digital economy.

The Government of Canada will reimburse 50% of eligible salary and benefits up to a total of $27,500 for a full year of the Youth Intern program.

Click Here for Northern Ontario Development Program – Youth Internship 2012

Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) 75% Wage Subsidy for 12 Week Student Hire

Does your business need assistance with engaging in social media? How about setting up an online shopping cart? There is assistance for you to get your business further intergrated into the e-commerce super highway.

SBIP provides financial support to qualified small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to hire postsecondary student interns to assist in the adoption of information and communications technologies (ICT) in the business.

The Government of Canada will reimburse 75% of eligible salary and benefits up to a total of $10,000 at the end of the 12-week (420 hour full time) internship.

Click Here for SBIP Program Info 2012