Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
See Appendix E for an extensive analysis of the e-business sector, and how Cochrane may be able
to capitalize on this.
Table 7.1: Funding Sources for E-Business Adoption
Program Name
Organization
Description
Broadband for
E-Business and
Marketing
(BEAM)
Program
NEOnet
Technology
Loans
Business
Development
Bank of Canada
•
Industry Canada
•
Canada Small
Business
Financing
Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
Offers direct cash contribution to SMEs to build a website or
implement new E-business applications.
Maximum $5,000 contribution at 75% subsidy rate.
BEAM II nearing completion; NEOnet to pursue funding for BEAM III
– continued funding not yet guaranteed.
Eligible for investment in computer hardware, software, website
development, or ICT consulting services.
$200 million earmarked for ICT loans in 2011.
Part of the Smart Tech Program.
CSBF program assists new SMEs with the purchase or improvement of
new or used equipment, including relevant ICT.
CSBF loans cannot exceed $500,000, and no more than $350,000
can be used for said equipment.
Pending Renewal:
Voucher for EBusiness
Ontario Centres
of Excellence
•
•
•
CareerConnect
Information and
Communication
Technology
Council
•
•
•
Provides SMEs with a maximum voucher of $2,500 which can be
redeemed for work done by a participating university.
Program matches businesses with an identifiable ICT need with
colleges capable of developing a solution; students responsible for
realizing the solution.
Pilot project; subject to renewal.
Targets private sector employers, matching them with recent
postsecondary graduates in an ICT-related career field.
Relevant for communities with ICT skills challenges, and/or difficulty
attracting skilled workers.
Funding for 2013-2014 currently allocated; may be renewed.
Emerging:
Small Business
Technology
Assessment,
Monitoring, &
Planning
NEOnet
(STAMP Project)
Productivity
and Innovation
Centre
Partnership:
NEOnet,
Northern
College, TEDC
•
•
•
•
•
•
Project will address ICT skills gaps by providing financial support for
ICT specialist consulting.
Will help SMEs with the creation of a technology strategic plan and IT
toolkit.
Project in implementation phase; rollout under way.
Centre designed to assist SMEs build productivity and innovation.
Centre will match SMEs with consultants to review operations, and
improve efficiencies and technology usage.
Centre to open by end of April 2014.
44