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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| General |
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| Q1. What is the Sand Plains Community Development Fund? |
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| A1. Sand Plains Community Development Fund is a program created to assist rural communities in the Sand Plains region to build a stronger, more diversified economy. This Fund is intended for community initiatives which support regional development; stimulate business, investment and job creation; strengthen local populations and attract visitors. Rural projects in the counties of Brant, Elgin, Middlesex, Norfolk and Oxford may apply for assistance under two separate categories: (1) Access to Capital and (2) Community Development Support. |
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| Q2. What is the Access to Capital category? Who can apply? |
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| A2. This category of the Sand Plains Development Fund is intended to foster entrepreneurship in the region by increasing the availability of ‘patient capital’ for small business start-ups and expansions in priority sectors. Patient capital provides flexible repayment terms negotiated to encourage the long-term viability of the borrower, amortized over 5 to 10 years at an interest rate return at or below conventional lending rates. |
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| The following groups are eligible: |
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| - Private enterprise
- Community organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Co-operatives
- Business organizations
- Municipalities
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| Q3. What is the Community Development Support category? Who can apply? |
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| A3. This category of the Sand Plains Community Development Fund provides non-repayable contributions to not-for-profit projects that explore and expand innovative opportunities in sustainable community and regional development. The aim is a prosperous economy built on diverse business activities. |
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| The following groups are eligible: |
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| - Community organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Co-operatives
- Social service institutions
- Municipalities
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| Eligible recipients must be incorporated and able to enter into legal agreements. |
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| Q4. Where can I get more information about the fund? |
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| A4. Call the Sand Plains Community Development Fund:
C/O - Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC)
519–633-2326 Ext 123
888-633-2326 Ext 123
djedig@oacfdc.com
Application forms are available at www.sandplains.ca. |
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| Applications Under Review |
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| Q5. What is the status of my Pre-Proposal? |
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| A5. Access to Capital |
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| The Pre-Proposal application that you and your partners have submitted is currently being reviewed by the Community Futures Development Corporation staff to determine if your organization is eligible to apply and your project is covered under the descriptions of Projects That Qualify and Priority Areas. |
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| A5. Community Development Support |
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| The Pre-Proposal application that you and your partners have submitted is currently being reviewed by the Sand Plains Community Development Fund staff to determine if your organization is eligible to apply and your project is covered under the descriptions of Projects That Qualify and Priority Areas. This process will take up to five working days from receipt of the completed Pre-Proposal. |
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| Q6. When do I complete the Full Application or Business Loan Application? |
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| A6. Applicants whose projects are deemed eligible for the Community Development Support category will be asked to complete a Full Application. Applicants whose projects are deemed eligible for the Access to Capital category will work with the staff at the local Community Futures Development Corporation to complete their Business Loan Application. |
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| Please do not complete the full application or business loan application unless directed to do so. |
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| Q7. What is the status of my Full Application for the Community Development Support category? |
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| A7. The Full Application that you and your partners have submitted for Community Development Support is currently under review. As you may be aware, all applications are reviewed by a Project Selection Committee that makes the funding decisions. This process will take up to eight weeks to complete. |
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| Q8. What is the status of my Business Loan Application for the Access to Capital category? |
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| A8. The Business Loan Application that you have submitted to the local Community Futures Development Corporation for Access to Capital is currently under review. All applications are reviewed by the CFDC’s Board of Directors who make the final funding recommendation for each loan. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are contacted as decisions are reached. |
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| Approved Projects |
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| Q9. When will I receive funding for my approved Community Development Support project? |
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| A9. The terms and conditions of your funding agreement for this project will come from the Sand Plains Community Development Fund staff at 1-877-607-7263 (1-877-607-SAND). |
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| Q10. When will I receive funding for my approved Access to Capital Loan? |
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| A10. The terms and conditions of your loan agreement for this project are available to you from the local Community Futures Development Corporation staff. |
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| Brant County – 519-752-4636 – Enterprise Brant
Elgin County – 519-633-7597 – Elgin Business Resource Centre
Middlesex County – 519-641-6100 – The Business Help Centre of Middlesex County
Norfolk County – 519-428-2323 - Norfolk District Business Development Corporation
Oxford County – 519-425-0401 – Oxford Small Business Support Corporation |
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| Q11. I had to incur expenses before my project was approved. Will these expenses be reimbursed? |
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| A11. Expenses that are incurred prior to the date of your project approval are ineligible for funding. |
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| Applications Not Approved |
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| Q12. Why was my Full Application not approved for funding under the Community Development Support Component? |
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| A12. Funding decisions are based on the merits of each individual proposal in comparison with other proposals. Sand Plains Community Development Fund staff can provide you with the document that was prepared based on the decision taken by the Project Selection Committee. This document will explain why the decision was taken. Please call the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC) at 519–633-2326 Ext 123 (888-633-2326 Ext 123) for further information. |
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| Q13. Can I appeal the decision that has been made? |
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| A13. The formal appeal process includes a written request to the Sand Plains Community Development Fund. If the Project Selection Committee was given incorrect information or if there is new information that was not available at the time of review, you may submit an appeal. Please call the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC) at 519–633-2326 Ext 123 (888-633-2326 Ext 123) |
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| Q14. Why was my Business Loan Application not approved for funding under the Access to Capital category? |
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| Q14. Funding decisions are based on the merits of each individual loan application. Community Futures Development Corporation staff may be able to provide some constructive feedback regarding weaknesses that were identified in the application. Please call the CFDC Manager at the local office for further information. |
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| Q15. Can I appeal the decision that has been made about by loan application? |
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| A15. The formal appeal process includes a written request to the Community Futures Development Corporation. You may opt to re-apply for a loan after discussing some of the weaknesses that were identified in the application with the CFDC staff. Please call the CFDC Manager at the local office. |
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| Funding |
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| Q16. If I have a great idea for a business in the Sand Plains region, can I apply to the Sand Plains Community Development Fund for funding? |
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| A16. Only incorporated organizations are eligible for funding under SPCDF. We also recognize that rural areas depend on the efforts of a range of players working together to develop the local economy. Applicants to SPCDF should pursue partnerships or alliances among individual, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and any other groups. A key element of the program is to obtain regional support for your project. |
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| Q17. What is First Step Funding? |
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| A17. The purpose of the First Step Funding is to provide up to $5,000 to assist with the costs associated with working with other communities in the Sand Plains region to develop a full application with a broader, more regional scope. Eligible costs include communications, consulting fees, mileage, and meals. Please contact staff at the Sand Plains office for the application and/or further information. |
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| Q18. Is there a limit to the amount of funding an applicant can request? How much will the SPCDF contribute? |
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| A18. Access to Capital |
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| Funding will enable applicants, including social enterprises and co-operatives, to apply for repayable financing up to $250,000 on commercial terms through loans from Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs). Interest rates will be negotiated based on the requirements of each applicant. |
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| A18. Community Development Support |
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| The maximum level of total government funding (federal, provincial, and municipal funding) for projects under the SPCDF must not exceed 85% of total project costs. |
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| The minimum 15% non-government contribution to your project can be cash, in-kind support from your organization or from other sources of funding, or a combination of both. In-kind support means contributions other than monetary which defray a portion of the project’s eligible costs. |
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| Application Process |
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| Q19. How long will it take, on average, to process an application? |
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| A19. Access to Capital |
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| There is a two-stage application process for this program. The Pre-Proposal stage takes an average of one week. The Loan Application will take a minimum of six to eight weeks, and includes a detailed review by CFDC staff, and review by the CFDC Board of Directors for a final recommendation on the project approval. |
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| A19.Community Development Support |
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| There is a two-stage application process for this program. The Pre-Proposal stage takes an average of one week. The Full Application will take a minimum of six to eight weeks, and includes a detailed review by SPCDF staff and consideration by the Project Selection Committee. |
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| Q20. Is the fund still accepting applications? |
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| A20. Pre-proposals have been accepted on an on-going basis since September 4, 2009 and will continue no later than September 1, 2011. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Pre-proposals must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the commencement of project activities. |
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| Q21. Is there staff available to help applicants in the rural areas of the counties of Brant, Elgin, Middlesex, Norfolk and Oxford? |
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| A21. There are two Sand Plains Community Development Fund staff members available to assist applicants. In addition, staff of the Community Futures Development Corporations or local municipal economic development offices may also assist potential applicants. |
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| Q22. What is the role of the Project Selection Committee? |
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| A22. The Project Selection Committee’s role is to review applications for the Community Development Support category. The members were drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience in rural Ontario. |
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