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There are free services to help you start, run, and grow a business in Norfolk County. Many newcomers are successful entrepreneurs and small businesses make up the bulk of businesses here. There’s a lot of planning involved in getting a business off the ground and being successful. There’s help you can get along the way including free advice and business workshops, information on how to set up a business, and where to look for money for your business. The information below is a good place to start.
Norfolk County – Business licences
The local municipal government requires many types of businesses to have a business licence to operate here. This includes: restaurants, food trucks, taxis, motels, hotels, bread and breakfasts, barbers, hair salons, tattoo parlours, body piercing services, nail salons, salvage yards, and more.Â
Address:Â 50 Colborne Street South, Simcoe
Venture Norfolk
Venture Norfolk provides a wide range of financial and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. This includes a step-by-step guide for setting up a business in Norfolk, business consulting, workshops and seminars, and loans. Venture Norfolk also runs several programs to help young people, ages 18 to 29, start and run businesses.
Address:Â 4077 Highway 3, Simcoe
Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre (BRC)
The BRC serves Norfolk County as well as Brantford. They offer advice on developing a business plan, how to set up a business, and what government licences apply. They offer regular free workshops on events on a wide range of topics, including accounting, taxes, and marketing. The BRC can provide information about financial grants or loans that you might be able to apply for to start or grow your business.
Address: 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford
There are many business groups and business associations in Norfolk County. Local Chambers of Commerce and similar organizations provide a chance to network with other businesses, go to special events, and receive other perks. These organizations usually have a yearly membership fee. BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) collaborate to bring people and business into the downtown cores.
Chambers of Commerce and Board of Trade: There are Chamber of Commerce groups active in the Simcoe, Delhi, Waterford, and Long Point areas. There’s a Board of Trade in Port Dover.
BIAs: There are also BIAs in the downtowns of Simcoe and Delhi.
Business Guide for Newcomers to Canada
A basic guide for new Canadians and permanent residents interested in starting a business in Ontario. Includes basic information on legal rules, taxes, hiring employees, and more.
10 Steps to Start a Business in Ontario
The Government of Ontario has a step-by-step guide with information about starting a business for entrepreneurs. It includes information on doing a business plan, registering a business, and more.Â
Self Employment for Newcomers
Free 16-week Conestoga College program helps newcomers start and build a business. Includes workshops, mentoring and networking. Funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Futurpreneur
Helps young entrepreneurs in Canada start businesses by providing advice, resources, mentorship, and financial support.
Pro Bono Ontario – Free Legal Advice Hotline
Pro Bono Ontario helps small businesses with common legal issues such as how to register a business name and the formats available for a business (example: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation). Their website also has a series of videos, including Starting Your Small Business and Employment Law Basics for Entrepreneurs.