Community Innovation (CI)

Overview

Community Innovation (CI) enables community-led economic development projects that enhance and diversify local economies.

Working in partnership with community stakeholders, CI will build the economic and innovative capacity of Northumberland County with particular emphasis on developing opportunities for sustainable economic growth and employment.

Guidelines

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Commercial Enterprises including individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives or trusts
Non-profit organizations including municipalities and municipal organizations, corporations and community economic development organizations
Aboriginal organizations

What types of projects and activities may be considered eligible?

Eligible activities are those that:

Contribute to achieving EODP objectives by supporting community-based initiatives which stimulate business and community development opportunities, promote economic development leading to a competitive and diversified regional economy, contribute to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable self-reliant communities
Demonstrate broad support from the respective community; and
Offer sustainable and measurable economic benefits to the local and/or regional economy

Community Innovation Projects

Community Innovation projects may include but are not limited to:

community-based economic development projects
research projects
marketing and promotional activities
tourism events
export and trade initiatives
facilitation or hosting seminars/workshops
small scale construction or projects/physical works
and other activities in support of economic development

Overall the preference is for projects that are innovative; expand export and/or domestic markets; develop economic infrastructure; develop and/or maintain economic development networks; and support tourism marketing and product development.

What costs are eligible? What costs are not?

Eligible Costs will be reasonable, incremental and required to achieve the approved activity. They may include salaries, wages/employee benefits; communications, publicity and promotion; consultant and other professional services; environmental assessments; training; equipment purchases or leases; information technology; telecommunications network services; transportation and administrative expenses. Eligible costs may also include the cost of equipment and buildings, but will not include the cost of land.

Ineligible Costs are those that are deemed unreasonable, not incremental and/or not directly related to the eligible project activities. Costs incurred outside of the eligibility dates as defined in the Northumberland CFDC Letter of Offer will not be supported. EODP project support is not intended to fund ongoing core operational costs.

What funding can EODP contribute to the project?

Funding contributions to Private Sector For-Profit Eligible Project Recipients will be non-repayable contributions, not normally to exceed 50% of total Eligible Costs, of the approved funding amount, to a maximum contribution of $100,000 per Eligible Project Recipient.

Funding contributions to Not-for-Profit Eligible Project Recipients will be non-repayable contributions toward direct eligible project costs, and may be up to 100% of total Eligible Costs, of the approved funding amount, to a maximum of $100,000 per Eligible Project Recipient. Not-for-Profit organizations are encouraged to contribute 50%.

Of special note:

Partnerships are encouraged and preferred
Consultants must operate at arm’s length of the applicant and should be experienced, professional and recognized as providing high quality work.