Thursday, February 9, 2023 – The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is pleased to announce two more successful participants for the Miinikaanan Badakidoon funding program.

The program was launched in December, 2021 as a new Indigenous funding stream of the Starter Company Plus program. The program is for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northwestern Ontario looking to start up, expand, or buy an existing business.

“CEDC recognizes the importance of supporting and growing Indigenous based businesses as they are crucial to strengthening and diversifying our economy, “ says Jamie Taylor, CEO, Thunder Bay CEDC.” Through this program, entrepreneurs gain essential business skills and build strong growth strategies to create a more sustainable future for their business. We hope to see an increase in the uptake for this program in the coming year as we will host another intake in the Spring.” 

Over the past few months, the two entrepreneurs completed business training on an assortment of topics and developed a business plan. The two successful entrepreneurs will receive $5,000 in funding and a three-month mentorship.

The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade supports the program, led locally by the Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre, part of the Thunder Bay CEDC. Additional supports for the program were provided by Impala Canada.

“Impala Canada is proud to support Miinikaanan Badakidoon.” says Erin Satterthwaite, VP, Corporate Affairs & Communications at Impala Canada “Northwestern Ontario is home to smart and talented individuals, and anything we can do help kick-start a business or career is a worthwhile investment. We can’t wait to meet the program’s beneficiaries and watch them grow their successful businesses.”

The two new successful participants for the program are as follows:

• Kennedy General Contracting
• Northern Smart Farms

Participants include one start-up and one expansion project.

Visit https://gotothunderbay.ca/how-we-help/entrepreneur-centre/miinikaanan-badakidoon/  for more information about the program.