Programs:

2010 Summer Company applications being accepted online now!

This is an Ontario government program for students aged 15 to 29 to start and run a summer business.  Summer Company is delivered and coordinated through your local Business Enterprise Centre.  Successful applicants will receive up to $1500 for business start up costs along with hands-on coaching and training and an additional award of up to $1500 upon successful completion of the program. 

Take a look at the website for program details and how to apply in 2010! www. ontario.ca/summercompany or call the Business Enterprise Centre Owen Sound & Area at 519-371-3232.

2009

Attending the final meeting for Summer Company 2009, a student business awards program for the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade are back; left to right; successful Summer Company recipients Kristopher Kriina and Harmony Weatherall, Mentorship committee members Mark Ostland, Manager-Meridian Credit Union, Cliff Bilyea, Management Consultant, Cheryl Govier, Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Rebecca Ford, Summer Company Coordinator and Jane Phillips, Manager-The Business Enterprise Centre. Front; left to right; successful Summer Company recipients Paige Phillips, Natalie Starr, Shelby Stryker and Dillon Sweeney.  Missing is Mentorship Committee member Eliane Preiss, Owner- Dynamic Business Management. Each student operated their business ideas full-time throughout the summer while receiving hands-on business training as well as $3000 each in awards.

Grey Bruce Secondary School Business Plan Competition

The Business Plan Competition is open to all Grey and Bruce secondary school students. Students write business plans and submit them to their local Enterprise Centre by the deadline (usually in May). Plans are judged by a local panel, made up of business leaders and local sponsors. Winners and finalists receive cash awards, the top winner of each local competition goes on to the Regional Competition, and regional winners go on to the Provincial Competition.

Attending the awards ceremony of the Ontario Secondary School Business Plan Competition 2009, a program of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade are left to right; Jane Phillips, The Business Enterprise Centre, Owen Sound & Area, First place student winner Alex Neuman from John Diefenbaker Secondary School, Jill Roote, Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre. Students submitted their business plan to the local Business Enterprise Centre and cash prizes were awarded to the top 3 plans. Alex will go on to compete in the regional competition and the regional winner will compete for a placement at the Provincial level

Ontario Self Employment Benefit Program

The Self-Employment Benefit Program is designed to provide "Employment Insurance (EI) eligible" or "Reachback" clients with income and entrepreneurial support while they develop and implement their business plan. The program provides the necessary training and counselling support to launch full-time new businesses in the Grey Bruce and Simcoe regions. The application process consists of Business Planning training, Advisory and Plan Assessment. If accepted, income support for the first 32 weeks of business operations, Business Skills Enhancement training, ongoing Business Advisory services and networking opportunities are available. Employment Ontario Programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada

The Business Enterprise Centre - Owen Sound and Area delivers the workshops and plan development portion of the program where the focus of the SEB program is on business start-up. We require that the applicant has a solid business concept idea and is committed to starting-up upon completion of the Business Planning Workshop Series, and acceptance into SEB. Individuals must clearly demonstrate their "entrepreneurial frame of mind", have a viable business concept with a "reasonable chance of success" in the region and be recommended for acceptance into this federally funded program by SEB personnel.

Clients must work with their Case Manager to determine their eligibility and suitability for self employment as a career option.

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) is no longer accepting applications to the OSEB program.  MTCU will resume accepting applications for the program in Spring 2010. Underneath Ontario Self Employment Benefit Program

In Owen Sound and Walkerton, Case Management services are provided by VPI Employment, contact the office in your area:

• VPI – Owen Sound Office
  1450 1st Avenue West, 2nd Floor
  Owen Sound, ON 519-3714707
• VPI – Walkerton
  220 Trillium Court, Suite 200
  Walkerton, ON 519-881-4900