Accessing Financing and Capital Funding

Knowing where and how to access financing and capital funding to grow or start your business can be a daunting and sometimes overwhelming task. The Timmins Chamber of Commerce has produced a resource tool - Accessing Financing and Capital Funding - to help our members learn the basics about funding availability – and applicability. Our easy-to-read booklet serves as an informational tool for members who want to learn about what types of funding are available – both in Timmins and beyond.

Contact the Chamber Office at 360-1900 if you would like a hard-copy version of Accessing Financing and Capital Funding.

Export Market Access

Ontario small businesses have a new partner in their drive to expand to foreign export markets. Export Market Access - A Global Expansion Program launched by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and funded by the Ontario Government - will help Ontario small and medium-sized businesses enter markets that would have otherwise been beyond their reach.

Assistance is available in four areas:

• Direct Contacts (trade shows, fairs, exhibitions, and trade missions);
• Marketing Tools (electronic media, promotional material, and branding material)
• Market Research; and
• Foreign Bidding Projects

Business Start-up Assistance

Among other things, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) provides free assistance to entrepreneurs during any stage of the business cycle through the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC). As a non-profit organization with an economic development mandate, our goal is work with your firm to succeed.

Their client services include:
Online registration of a business name to obtain a Master Business Licence;
Review and assistance with business plan development;
Assistance in determining potential financing and funding options available to start or expand a business. We also assist clients with completing funding/ financing applications;
Provide information and data on the local and regional economy; and
Provide business information on various topics including taxation, business structures, marketing, regulations and more.

www.canadabusiness.ca is a newly redesigned Government of Canada site with plenty of business start-up tools and information.

www.mywebca.com provides practical information and articles on small business start-up.

www.ontariocanada.com is the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade website, which has information dedicated to starting up a business.

Small Business Information and Tools

The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) aims to promote quality of life through community development, to secure and support new and existing business and community initiatives, to enhance sustainable development and the environment thereby creating employment for the people who live or plan to live in Timmins.

The TEDC provides bilingual services and is a one-stop source for market information for business and industry. They act as a catalyst for economic development initiatives for the municipality. They strive to be an effective agent in the attraction, development and sustenance of businesses, which contribute to the economic, social and general well being of the community.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation currently offers six unique funding programs to northern businesses and communities such as Enterprises North Job Creation, Infrastructure and Community Development, Youth Internship and Co-op, Emerging Technology, Northern Ontario Young Entrepreneur and Northern Energy. For more information please visit www.nohfc.com.

Need employees and don't know where to find them? The Timmins Chamber of Commerce is working to ensure you have the information you need to operate your business. Here is a list of services that may help.

Use the power of the Internet to do business locally! With over 2300 listings, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation offers you the region's largest and most complete online directory of organizations, businesses, schools, tourist attractions, churches, agencies and government offices!  Click here for the official online directory service!

The Federal Government launched the Guide to Services for Businesses in Ontario to highlight the range of federal services available to local entrepreneurs ranging from exporting to financing.

Not sure where to turn for answers to your business-related questions?  Call 1-888-745-8888.  The Canadian and Ontario governments have collaborated to provide information from both levels of government in one place.  Whether you have questions about taxes, funding programs, starting a business, or obtaining permits, this toll-free number will lead you to all the answers you need.

The Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES) has developed a series of free tools to help address challenges in the workplace relating to literacy and essential skills.  The Literacy and Essential Skills Toolkit supports employers, learners, and practitioners and offers three categories of assistance: assessment, learning and training support. The toolkit can also be customized to include the tools that you need most.

Who can the toolkit help and how?

Employers by increasing employee performance and retention;

Learners by improving their self-confidence and job satisfaction;

Practitioners by delivering more effective Literacy and Essential Skills interventions.

For more information on the Literacy and Essential Skills Training Toolkit, visit hrsdc.gc.ca/essentialskills.

www.bdc.ca has excellent on-line tools for business planning, determining e-commerce readiness, and developing export plans.

www.businesstown.com is a site for small business information.

www.canadaone.com has a business directory, tools, and articles.

www.neonet.on.ca provides technology information for small businesses as well as a directory of technology businesses in the Timmins area.

www.yea.ca is the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Canada web site.

www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_coinf/ccc/engdoc/homepage.html will register your business as a potential supplier to overseas markets.

www.ic.gc.ca  - Industry Canada has a wealth of business resources on their website.

www.canadabusiness.ca is a newly redesigned website from the Government of Canada that provides information for entrepreneurs about government programs and services.

HST Resources - Learn more about what HST will mean for your business.

Business Publications Online

www.profitguide.com -Profit Magazine's business resources for entrepreneurs.

www.nob.on.ca is the website for Northern Ontario Business newspaper

www.cbc.ca/money/ is the CBC's Business website.

Legal, Government and Regulatory

www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca is a service from the Ministry of the Attorney General that provides public access to Ontario laws.

www.e-laws.gov.on.ca posts amendments to legislation, and new statutes and regulations.

www.wsib.on.ca provides information on worker safety and employer responsibilities

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/menu-eng.html is the Canada Revenue Agency business page.

Community Resources and Information

Workplace Literacy is an important key in retaining and advancing employees. Literacy deals not only with reading and writing but comprehension of instructions. We are pleased to provide you with a list of local agencies that have programs to assist your business in encouraging, developing and maintaining a workplace where everyone participates fully.

www.gettrainedworkers.com matches employers with employees

Funded Youth Summer Program hosted by Young Canada Works

www.timminslcc.org Timmins Area Local Citizens Committee Timmins OMNR District

Click here for information on the local Service Canada office. Job postings, market trends and employer information is available.

www.fnetb.com is the Far Northeast Training Board web site. Information on regional training needs, environmental scans, etc. are available.

www.oce-ontario.org is the Ontario Centres for Excellence established by the government of Ontario to strengthen links between academia and industry.

Info-Pak is a business support directory that categorizes most business support services available to Timmins businesses.

Francophone Business Resources

Engaging Francophone Customers

Aboriginal Business Resources

RST Tax Tips − An informative tax bulletin outlining RST exemption practices for vendors.

Things You Should Know About Aboriginal Culture and Your Business

Northeastern First Nations Contact Information

Doing Business with First Nations − 2006 Building Bridges Conference Q & A

www.turtleisland.org offers information on Aboriginal issues including business and health.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Aboriginal Business Info-Guide

Ojibway Cree & Cultural Centre

Tourism Business Information

www.tourism.gov.on.ca offers information on business development in tourism and recreation.

www.ontariotravel.net/events lets you submit events for the Ontario government's quarterly events guides.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Removing Barriers: A business guide to improving Accessibility from the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

In 2005, the provincial government passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This Act has huge implications for business in that it requires all businesses to be accessible for customers and employees in a phased in approach by 2025. Below you will find several documents to educate you on the Act.
Small Business Accessibility Act
Requirements
Accessible Spaces