The goal of this new program, which was implemented as part of the Quebec-wide Accès Entreprise Québec (AEQ) initiative through the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation, is to allow for increased access to professionals who are equipped to advise local entrepreneurs and help promote economic growth across the province.

“I am delighted by the additions to our staff and by the efforts made by the government and the MRC to support Quebec's local economy,” said MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent prefect, Louise Lebrun.

With extensive experience in socio-economic development, finance and business sectors, Mr. Jean-François Tremblay and Ms. Katherine Simard, have worked since joining the MRC to establish initial contact with the region’s business owners in order to document their needs. In collaboration with their colleagues, the advisors have worked to develop a wide range of tools and resources to support the region’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

“The Haut-Saint-Laurent, thanks to its geographic location bordering both Ontario and the United States, as well as its diverse agricultural production, is fertile ground for entrepreneurial initiatives, especially with regard to food processing," says Katherine Simard. “I am proud to contribute my many years of experience to the prosperity of our local SMEs.”

Mr. Tremblay and Ms. Simard work in collaboration with the region’s economic development organizations and Investissement Québec to support entrepreneurs in carrying out their projects.

Mr. Tremblay confirms: “If an entrepreneur has a project, we can help him or her, whether they are at the start-up, growth or expansion stage.”

If you have any questions about services for entrepreneurs in the Haut-Saint-Laurent region, please contact the MRC’s economic development team at 450 264-5411. To speak with an advisor directly, please consult the administrative directory at https://mrchsl.com/en/contact-us.