Business Supports

Services: The Elgin-St. Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre provides a comprehensive suite of services aimed at supporting new and existing small businesses. These include expert business guidance to help navigate the complexities of starting and growing a business, detailed cash flow projections to assist in financial planning, and access to a robust mentor network offering experienced insights. Additionally, the centre organizes B2B networking events that facilitate connections between local businesses and provides grants specifically for young entrepreneurs to encourage the next generation of business leaders.

Services: The Elgin Business Resource Centre offers a variety of services to support business development. These include one-on-one counseling sessions to provide personalized business advice, flexible lending options to assist with financing needs, and networking opportunities to connect with other business owners and industry experts. They also offer self-employment training to help individuals develop the skills necessary to start and sustain their own businesses.

Contact: Sarah Foshay, General Manager

Phone: 519-633-7597 ext. 328

Email: sfoshay@elgincfdc.ca

Website: www.elgincfdc.ca

Services: Employment Services Elgin offers a range of employment resources to help job seekers and employers. They provide counseling to assist with career planning, job placement services to match individuals with suitable employment opportunities, and various employment resources including job boards and training workshops.

Website: employmentserviceselgin.ca

Phone: 519-631-5470

Email: eseinfo@employmentserviceselgin.ca

Services: Fanshawe College offers an extensive range of educational and training programs in Elgin County designed to enhance skills in management, finance, and marketing. They provide specialized training programs tailored to local industry needs and offer English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to support newcomers and non-native speakers in improving their language proficiency for better workforce integration.

Fanshawe College also partners with businesses to offer customized training and skill development solutions. They provide tailored training programs that meet the specific needs of local industries, enhancing employee skills and increasing business competitiveness. This includes workplace training, leadership development programs, and access to a pool of highly trained students and graduates who can contribute to business growth. Their Corporate Training Solutions team works closely with businesses to deliver flexible training options that can be adapted to various operational requirements.

Website: www.fanshawec.ca

Focus Area: While the City of St. Thomas operates independently from Elgin County, the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation offers a range of services that can complement our own. Their focus includes helping businesses find locations within the city, providing marketing support, organizing trade shows, and conducting company visits to understand and meet business needs. Together, our combined efforts create a broader support network, enhancing business opportunities for the entire region.

Contact: Sean Dyke, CEO

Phone: 519.631.1680, ext. 4104

Email: sdyke@stthomas.ca

Website: www.st-thomas.org

Focus Area: This board provides critical labor market information and workforce planning services to support economic development. They analyze workforce trends, identify skills gaps, and facilitate initiatives to align workforce capabilities with local business needs.

Website: workforcedevelopment.ca

Focus Area: Southwestern Public Health offers a variety of health programs and services that benefit both residents and businesses. These include health education, workplace wellness programs, and services aimed at promoting a healthy community.

Website: swpublichealth.ca

Aylmer Chamber of Commerce

Focus Area: The Aylmer Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses in Bayham, Malahide, and Aylmer through networking events, advocacy, and promotional activities that drive economic growth in the community.

Website: aylmerchamber.wordpress.com

Port Stanley BIA

Focus Area: The Port Stanley BIA works to enhance the commercial area through beautification projects, events, and marketing initiatives that attract visitors and support local businesses.

Website: portstanley.net

St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce

Focus Area: The chamber supports businesses in the City of St. Thomas, the Municipality of Central Elgin, and the Township of Southwold. The Chamber offers a range of services including business advocacy, networking opportunities, and member benefits designed to support and grow the local business community.

Website: stthomaschamber.on.ca

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.  The maximum loan amount for a borrower is $1.15 million.

• Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for term loans for any one borrower, of which no more than $500,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment and of that amount, a maximum of $150,000 could be used for intangible assets and working capital costs.
• Up to a maximum of $150,000 for lines of credit.

Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.