Journeyperson Business Start Program Guidelines

Transcription

1 Journeyperson Business Start Program Guidelines

2 JOURNEYPERSON BUSINESS START PROGRAM The Journeyperson Business Start Program is a provincial program delivered by Manitoba Jobs and the Economy s Small Business Development office and Apprenticeship Manitoba. The program encourages new journeypersons in rural Manitoba to start their own fulltime business and pursue self-employment as a career choice. Applications are accepted on a year-round basis from eligible journeypersons who have received their Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification within the past six years. Under the Journeyperson Business Start Program, applicants are eligible to receive a grant of up to $2,500 to help cover the cost of purchasing the necessary equipment, tools, supplies, buildings, leasehold and building improvements related to starting a trade related business. The program will provide a contribution of up to $2,500 based on 50 per cent of eligible expenditures. Eligible purchase transactions must have occurred within an 18-month eligibility period. This period covers the time from six months prior to the business start date and up to 12 months after the business start date. Applications must be submitted within one year of starting the business. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Applicants must: be a certified journeyperson who has received the Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification within the past six years. reside in rural Manitoba. For the purpose of this program, rural Manitoba is defined as located outside the perimeter of the City of Winnipeg. be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have received landed immigrant status. have completed the business skills development training requirement for the program. See Business Skills Development Training Requirement for additional information. be working at the business on a full-time basis (minimum of 30 hours per week). be actively involved in all aspects of the business on a day-to-day basis. have not owned a similar business in the previous 24 months. The principal applicant must possess a Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification, have majority ownership and be significantly involved in the management of the business if more than one business partner or investor is involved. Not all business partners or shareholders must be tradespeople; however, the principal applicant must meet all eligibility criteria. December

3 For business ventures: The business head office must be located in rural Manitoba. For the purpose of this program, rural Manitoba is defined as located outside the perimeter of the City of Winnipeg. The business must have been started within the past 12 months of the date the program receives your application. The proposed business must be year-round and permanent in nature. Permanent is defined as a business operation that is continuous and consecutive. Each 12-month period may be interrupted by a seasonal stoppage of not more than three months. The proposed business must provide the principal applicant with full-time selfemployment (minimum 30 hours per week). The business must be created for the purpose of making a profit. The business must demonstrate viability through the business plan or business plan summary. Where existing business ventures assets are being purchased, the applicant must demonstrate that all business transactions will be/are completed at fair market value. (See definition of fair market value at the back of this guidelines document.) Business Skills Development Training Requirement The Journeyperson Business Start Program requires all applicants to complete one of the following: have participated in business skills development training workshops and seminars that have addressed the following business topics: business planning, finance and marketing. Eligible workshops and seminars must be delivered by a recognized partner. This includes, but is not limited to workshops and seminars delivered by: Entrepreneurship Manitoba Canadian Youth Business Foundation Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre Manitoba Marketing Network educational institutions the three-day Business Planning Workshop delivered by Small Business Development. NOTE: Please contact the program manager if you require additional information. See also the Additional Resources section at the back of this guidelines document. Business Plan or Business Plan Summary Requirement The Journeyperson Business Start Program requires applicants to submit a business plan or a business plan summary that clearly demonstrates business viability. A copy of the business plan summary template can be obtained online at manitoba.ca/jbsp. 2 December 2013

4 Those not eligible to apply to the Journeyperson Business Start Program include: applicants who do not reside in rural Manitoba and business head offices that are not located in rural Manitoba applicants who have not received their Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification within the past six years applicants who have owned or operated a similar business in the past 24 months business ventures that have been in operation for longer than one year HOW TO APPLY All individuals interested in applying to the program must complete or include the following before an application can be assessed and reviewed for grant consideration: completed application form (including Schedule 1 Claim Calculation Form) copies of receipts or invoices that indicate the item, payment type, vendor and transaction date for each eligible expenditure copies of proof of payment (ex: cancelled cheques, bank statements, credit card receipts or statements) for each eligible expenditure copy of your Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification copy of evidence of the business start date (ex: business bank account, business name registration or business number) copy of a valid partnership agreement or articles of incorporation (if applicable) completed the business skills development training requirement; a copy of your Business Planning Workshop Certificate (if applicable) copy of your business plan or business plan summary copies of any other supporting documents (if applicable) Please make a copy of your Journeyperson Business Start Program application, business plan/business plan summary and all correspondence for your records. For additional program information and resources, see the Contacts and Additional Resources sections at the back of this guidelines document. Mail, or fax the completed application form and all supporting documents to: Journeyperson Business Start Program Small Business Development Entrepreneurship Manitoba Manitoba Jobs and the Economy Graham Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0J7 Fax: [email protected] Contact the program manager at or December

5 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Journeyperson Business Start Program provides grant funding to reimburse approved applicants for eligible expenditures. Under the Journeyperson Business Start Program, approved applicants are eligible for a maximum grant of $2,500 to cover 50 per cent of the cost of eligible expenditures related to starting a trade-related business. A minimum equity contribution of $500 is required by the applicant; therefore, the minimum application claim must be $1,000 or greater. Eligible Expenditures Eligible expenditures include purchases of tools and business-related supplies, office equipment, computers, land, buildings, leasehold and building improvements, telecommunications equipment, transportation and other significant equipment and fixtures required for the business. In cases where existing business ventures assets are being purchased, the program will require additional information to verify receipts and demonstrate that the transactions were completed at arms-length or at fair market value. Contact the program manager if additional clarification is required. Ineligible Expenditures Ineligible expenditures include licences and permits, service fees (legal, accounting, management, franchise, etc.), equipment rental costs, lease costs, telephone installation, utilities, office supplies, business travel costs, inventory costs, marketing expenses, goodwill, operational expenses and any other cost not deemed an asset necessary for the operations of the business. Purchase Eligibility Period The Purchase Eligibility Period is defined as follows: purchase transactions occurring up to six months prior to the business start date; purchase transactions occurring up to 12 months after the business start date. -6 months Start Date 12 months Purchase Eligibility Period Example 1: An approved applicant spends $10,000 to purchase tools and equipment required to start the business. Grant amount would be $2,500 (maximum amount of reimbursement) Example 2: An approved applicant spends $3,000 to cover the cost of building improvements required to start the business. Grant amount would be $1,500 (50 per cent of eligible expenditures) 4 December 2013

6 Example 3: An approved applicant spends $1,500 to purchase office equipment and business-related supplies required to start the business. Grant amount would be $750 (50 per cent of eligible expenditures) ASSESSMENT PROCESS The assessment process will begin once a completed application and all required supporting documents have been received at the program office. Applications will be assessed for program eligibility and the business plan/business plan summary will be assessed for business viability. Applicants may be contacted by the program manager or other government representative if additional information is required. Please note that Schedule 1 Claim Calculation Form must be submitted with the completed application form. Purchases claimed on the form must be supported by: copies of receipts or invoices that indicate the item, payment type, vendor and transaction date for each eligible expenditure copies of proof of payment (ex: cancelled cheques, bank statements, credit card receipts or statements) for each eligible expenditure Claim expenditures and all corresponding material will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants will be notified by letter of the funding decision for their application. If an application is not selected for grant funding, program staff will identify the basis for this decision in the notification letter. You may contact the program manager at or for further information and clarification if required. GRANT REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS Prior to the release of the grant funding, a government representative may conduct an on site visit at your place of business. Approved applicants will be reimbursed upon receipt of all required documentation. Journeyperson Business Start Program grant(s) may be withheld if: the applicant s contribution does not meet the minimum claim amount of $1,000 in eligible business expenditures, the applicant does not work full-time at the business or if any other program conditions are not met. December

7 IMPORTANT NOTICE For purposes of this program, most applicants will be able to develop a business plan or complete the business plan summary without the need to hire a third-party consultant. Business development resources and support staff are available throughout the province to assist with the development of business plans. Please refer to the Additional Resources section at the back of this guidelines document. Applicants who choose to use the services of a fee-for-service third-party are advised that the business consultant or other professional has no influence or connection with the Journeyperson Business Start Program or the provincial government departments responsible for this program. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. Officers of the program will make all necessary investigations in reviewing this application to ensure the information provided is accurate and complete. 2. Applicants may be requested to provide additional documentation to verify program eligibility requirements. 3. The Journeyperson Business Start Program, Small Business Development or Apprenticeship Manitoba may make a public announcement relating to the approval and disbursement of a grant. 4. Approved applicants agree to provide information that will assist in the review and evaluation of the Journeyperson Business Start Program. 5. Applicants may receive future contact from Manitoba Jobs and the Economy that relates to workshops or other business training opportunities. 6. Officials responsible for the Journeyperson Business Start Program have the authority to assess each application on its individual merits and will exercise absolute discretion in determining the amount of grant funding approved for each application. 6 December 2013

8 CONTACTS For additional program information and resources: Journeyperson Business Start Program Small Business Development Entrepreneurship Manitoba Manitoba Jobs and the Economy Graham Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3C 0J7 Phone: Toll free: Fax: Small Business Development Western Regional Office Entrepreneurship Manitoba Manitoba Jobs and the Economy Room 157, 340 9th Street Brandon, MB R7A 6C2 Phone: Toll free: Fax: Apprenticeship Manitoba Brandon The Pas Room 128, 340-9th Street 305 Fourth Street W Brandon, MB R7A 6C2 The Pas, MB R9A 1M4 Phone: Phone: Fax: Fax: Thompson Station Road Thompson, MB R8N 0N3 Phone: Fax: December

9 Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Growing Opportunities (GO) Offices by Region North Interlake GO Team Arborg GO Centre 317 River Road West PO Box 2000 Arborg, Manitoba R0C 0A0 Phone: Fax: Lundar GO Office 9 Main Street PO Box 40 Lundar, Manitoba R0C 1Y0 Phone: Fax: Ashern GO Centre 43 Railway Avenue PO Box 260 Ashern, Manitoba R0C 0E0 Phone: Fax: South Interlake GO Team Teulon GO Centre 77 Main Street PO Box 70 Teulon, Manitoba R0C 3B0 Phone: Fax: Eastman GO Team Beausejour GO Centre 20 First Street South Beausejour, Manitoba R0E 0C0 Phone: Fax: Steinbach GO Office Unit C, 284 Reimer Avenue Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 0R5 Phone: Fax: St. Pierre GO Centre 466 Sabourin Street South PO Box 100 St. Pierre, Manitoba R0A 1V0 Phone: Fax: Vita GO Office 108 Main Street North PO Box 10 Vita, Manitoba R0A 2K0 Phone: Fax: December 2013

10 Red River GO Team Altona GO Centre 67 2nd Street NE PO Box 969 Altona, Manitoba R0G 0B0 Phone: Fax: Morris GO Office 229 Main Street South PO Box 100 Morris, Manitoba R0G 1K0 Phone: Fax: Central Plains GO Team Gladstone GO Centre 37 Morris Avenue North PO Box 532 Gladstone, Manitoba R0J 0T0 Phone: Fax: Carman GO Office 65 3rd Street NE PO Box 667 Carman, Manitoba R0G 0J0 Phone: Fax: Morden GO Office 536 Stephen Street Morden, Manitoba R6M 1T7 Phone: Fax: Carberry GO Centre 37 Main Street PO Box 160 Carberry, Manitoba R0K 0H0 Phone: Fax: Portage la Prairie GO Office 25 Tupper Street North Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 3K1 Phone: Fax: Pembina GO Team Killarney GO Centre 203 South Railway Street PO Box 190 Killarney, Manitoba R0K 1G0 Phone: Fax: Pilot Mound GO Office 8 Fraser Street PO Box 180 Pilot Mound, Manitoba R0G 1P0 Phone: Fax: Somerset GO Centre 279 Carleton Street PO Box 189 Somerset, Manitoba R0G 2L0 Phone: Fax: December

11 Southwest GO Team Virden GO Centre 247 Wellington Street West PO Box 850 Virden, Manitoba R0M 2C0 Phone: Fax: Souris GO Centre 130 1st Avenue West PO Box 850 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 Phone: Fax: South Parkland GO Team Hamiota GO Centre 221 Elm Street, Highway 21 North PO Box 50 Hamiota, Manitoba R0M 0T0 Phone: Fax: Brandon GO Office 1129 Queens Avenue Brandon, Manitoba R7A 1L9 Phone: Fax: Melita GO Centre 139 Main Street PO Box 519 Melita, Manitoba R0M 1L0 Phone: Fax: Russell GO Centre 434 Main Street North PO Box 160 Russell, Manitoba R0J 1W0 Phone: Fax: Minnedosa GO Office 36 Armitage Avenue PO Box 1198 Minnedosa, Manitoba R0J 1E0 Phone: Fax: December 2013

12 North Parkland GO Team Dauphin GO Centre 27 Second Avenue SW Dauphin, Manitoba R7N 3E5 Phone: Fax: Ste. Rose GO Office 630 Central Avenue South PO Box 180 Ste. Rose, Manitoba R0L 1S0 Phone: Fax: Valleys North GO Team Swan River GO Centre 120 6th Avenue North PO Box 370 Swan River, Manitoba R0L 1Z0 Phone: Fax: Roblin GO Centre 117 2nd Avenue NW PO Box 970 Roblin, Manitoba R0L 1P0 Phone: Fax: The Pas GO Centre 236 3rd & Ross Avenue PO Box 2550 The Pas, Manitoba R9A 1M4 Phone: Fax: December

13 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Manitoba Business Gateway Offices Manitoba Business Gateways are resource centres providing information and referrals for a wide range of business and employment information and services. The Business Gateway is another step toward the Manitoba government s goal of making the province s business and employment information and services easier to find, easier to understand and easier to use whether accessed online, by telephone or in person. Information and referrals that can be accessed through the Manitoba Business Gateway include: Starting a business Regulations, registrations, licenses and permits Taxation Financial programs Market research Business planning Recruiting, retaining, training and managing employees Skills development Industry and market specialists Business expansion and growth Exporting Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) Manitoba Companies Office Innovation and Technology Commercialization Manitoba Business Gateway Brandon 340 9th Street Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6C2 Phone: Fax: [email protected] Manitoba Business Gateway Dauphin 135A 2nd Avenue NE Dauphin, Manitoba R7N 0Z6 Toll free: [email protected] Manitoba Business Gateway St-Pierre-Jolys 427 Sabourin Street St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba R0A 1V0 Toll free: [email protected] Manitoba Business Gateway Notre Dame de Lourdes 51 Rogers Street Notre Dame de Lourdes Manitoba R0G 1M0 Toll free: [email protected] 12 December 2013

14 Manitoba Business Gateway St. Boniface Des Meurons Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2P9 Toll free: Manitoba Business Gateway St. Vital 1005 St. Mary s Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 3S4 Toll free: [email protected] Entrepreneurial Learning Business Skills Development Business Planning Workshop The Business Planning Workshop is designed for those who are considering starting a new business in Manitoba. Topics covered include business plans, financing options, forms of business organizations, financial statements, PST, GST, employee deductions, product definition and marketing strategy. To register for this workshop, please call in Winnipeg, toll free or visit Canadian Youth Business Foundation The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) delivers a series of workshops targeted at skilled trades in rural Manitoba. Topics covered include business planning, marketing and finance. To register for an upcoming workshop visit CYBF also offers an online business resource centre with interactive tools, webinars and a business plan guide. All are designed to simplify the business planning process and can be obtained online at Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre delivers workshops and seminars on a variety of business topics. Individuals can participate in workshops either in person at the C/MBSC, or via the Small Business Learning Network, a network of video-conference locations throughout Manitoba. For more information on workshops and seminars, or to locate a video-conference host near you, call in Winnipeg, toll free or visit December

15 Other Resources The Interactive Business Planner Software is a web-based business planner that will take you through the steps needed to create a business plan for your business. There is a monthly fee to use the software. Manitoba Companies Office To register your business in Manitoba or to incorporate, call in Winnipeg or toll free at The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization that encourages and supports young Canadians that want to start their own business. CYBF provides start-up mentoring (2 years), financing (up to $45,000), business resources and pre-launch coaching to help youth between the ages of start their own successful business. In Winnipeg call or toll free at Canada Revenue Agency To obtain a Revenue Canada Business Number and information on employer/employee contributions to E.I. and C.P.P., contact Canada Revenue Agency at Workers Compensation To inquire about compulsory and non-compulsory registration, please contact the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Call or toll free at Employment Standards If you have any questions about your obligations as an employer in Manitoba for example, payment of overtime, vacation pay, minimum wage or construction wages please contact the Employment Standards Branch of Manitoba Labour and Family Services. In Winnipeg call or toll free at Industry Workforce Development The Industry Workforce Development branch of the Manitoba Jobs and the Economy provides business and industry with integrated, co-ordinated services for human resource planning and skills training development and delivery. Contact them at ; fax: or [email protected] December 2013

16 JOURNEYPERSON BUSINESS START PROGRAM DEFINITIONS Capital costs As a general rule, capital costs are objects that you can see and touch (vehicle, building, land and furniture). These assets will often have a longer useful life and therefore may include depreciation allowances for tax purposes. Computers and software are considered eligible by the program. Fair market value Fair market value generally means the highest price, expressed in dollars, that an asset would bring in an open and unrestricted market, between a willing buyer and a willing seller, both of whom are knowledgeable, informed and prudent, and acting independently of each other. Full-time basis On average, the business owner is personally involved for a minimum of 30 hours per week in the provision of services, development of products and administration of the business which directly relate to the venture. Goodwill A cost that may be added to the purchase price of an existing business. This cost may include actual customer or client lists, but may also include intangible items such as community relations and profile. Principal applicant The principal applicant is the person who submits the program application on behalf of the business venture. If the business is not a sole proprietorship, this principal applicant must have majority ownership in the business, possess a Journeyperson Certificate of Qualification and have a role in the management and administration of the business activities. The program will request supporting documentation to verify partnership and corporate ownership. December

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