Double hat-trick aid for young entrepreneurs
If it was a hockey game it would be a double hat-trick plus the star player nomination for the home team in Prescott-Russell. Six young entrepreneurs will receive both, an investment from the provincial government in their summer project, and valuable mentoring aid to help ensure its success.
The Prescott and Russell Entrepreneurship Centre (PREC) and the economic development and tourism department of the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) both received confirmation that this region has obtained funding support approvals for six applications to the PREC’s Summer Company program. There were three applications scheduled for funding assists but officials with the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG) have decided to double the amount available to the PREC as a show of support for the regional youth business mentoring program.
“There’s a lot of talk about business succession and our succession plan,” stated Benoît Brunette, PREC project officer. “Not surprising considering that small- and medium-sized businesses constitutes the foundation of Ontario’s economy and create jobs, innovation and prosperity.”
The PREC is a non-profit organization which helps small business owners and small business entrepreneurs succeed in Prescott and Russell by providing information, tools and support during their start-up and growth phases. The Summer Company is a mentoring and financial assistance program which PREC developed to foster youth entrepreneurial skills.
The Summer Company program provides successful applicants with a non-refundable $3000 grant for use in covering start-up operation costs for their operation. This year’s program would have provided initial support funding for three applicants but the provincial aid grant approval means $18,000 is available for PREC to invest in six applicants and their businesses.
This year’s successful Summer Company applicants are: photographer Samuel Cheff with his Better View Captures business based in Bourget; photographer Marie-Josée Vézina of Vézina Photo in Crysler; Wendover’s Chrissy Colizza, trainer, and her Competitive Edge Elite Girls Hockey program; Brandon Séguin of Hawkesbury and his Nimbus Controversy brand clothing line; Jeremy Chevalley of Moose Creek and his Moo Call & Clip cow grooming and tail clipping service for dairy farmers; and Jeremy Arbour, a videographer from Limoges with his Arbs Edit video service.
Chevalley is also the winner of the Make Your Pitch competition. His video pitch as part of his Summer Company application is available to view at http://www.makeyourpitch.ca/entry/28941386.