Business Resources

Employer with customer The Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland provides free consultations, business information and resources for every stage of your business planning or business growth development.

For educational video clips, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for topic-specific information.

Contact the BECN for free worksheets, tools, and templates on various topics or to speak to an Advisor to help start or grow your business.

Our resources include:

  • Starting Your Business Checklist
  • Business Plan Template
  • Business Planning 101
  • Business Model Canvas Tool
  • Competitor Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Marketing Plan Template
  • Cash Flow Worksheet
  • Start Up Expense Worksheet
  • How to Price and Cost My Products/Services Effectively
  • Finding Your Breakeven Point
  • Checking Business Viability: Break Even Point & Costing
  • Average Profit Margin

Additional resources

Business funding opportunities

In addition to potential micro-grant opportunities the BECN provides, there may be additional funding opportunities (either grants or loans) from other organizations. Funding is one of the most important components of starting, running, and successfully operating a business. It’s also one of the most common reasons local businesses connect with our team. We have compiled the most commonly requested sources, however, there are many specialized funding opportunities available to businesses and startups that can be explored with a member of our business development team.

Canadian funding resources

Ontario funding resources

Local funding resources

 

Helpful business resources

Additional business resources from the provincial and federal governments are listed below in categories to assist with new business start-up information, business structure, registering your business, HST information, hiring, and financing information.

Planning

Registering and licenses

Financial assistance

Marketing

Growth and hiring

Resources for food businesses

 

Local resources

In addition to the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland’s community partners, there are many local resources to assist entrepreneurs with business support, information, education and permits. Please feel free to contact us for further information regarding the correct local resource to contact for your specific business needs.

Chambers of Commerce

The four Chambers of Commerce of Northumberland County are membership-based organizations that deliver programs, benefits, training, professional development and advocacy for business.

Participate in business surveys and meetings to enable the Chamber Network to affect change through policy advocacy at the local, provincial and federal levels of government.

  • Chambers are the voice of business, strengthened through collaboration with Chambers Northumberland, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  • Learn about government regulations and requirements that affect business.
  • Members only meetings with elected officials
  • Participate in candidate election meetings
Business marketing and promotions
  • Exclusive listing in a Chamber business directory
  • Access to Chamber social media
  • Exclusive advertising opportunities for members
  • Networking opportunities to raise your profile
  • Grand Openings announcements for new businesses
  • New member announcements
  • Buy Local campaigns and initiatives
  • Business referrals
Contact information

Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce
278 George Street, Cobourg ON, K9A 3L8
905-372-5831

Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Office, 58 Queen Street Port Hope, L1A 3Z9
905-885-5519

Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Office, 51 Grand Road, Campbellford, K0L 1L0
705-653-1551

District Business Improvement Area (DBIA)

Your local District Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is a geographic area within a municipality where every commercial tenant pays a special levy. This levy goes towards funding the operations of the BIA who, in turn, promote, enhance and improve the geographic downtown area. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, whether through events, advocacy, marketing and advertising, beautification or a combination. DBIA/HBIA are typically led by a Board of Management.

Food manufacturing and processing facility

The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre is a built-to-purpose niche food manufacturing facility and is a launchpad for food entrepreneurs who have outgrown their local commercial kitchen and are ready to scale up.

The OAFVC also help farmers who need short and medium-term fresh and frozen food storage, and who are looking for value-adding opportunities for their produce.

Contact the OAFVC to learn how the safe, clean, manufacturing and storage spaces can help you grow your business.

Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit located in Port Hope, can assist with food handlers certificate and inspections.

Municipal offices

Contact your local Municipal Office for more information on any potential by-laws or property information for your home based or commercial based business.  Regulations to consider may be; zoning, building permits, sign by-law, patio by-law, heritage colours in DBIA/BIA districts, noise by-law, parking enforcement etc.

Nventure
Nventure, formally known as Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), located in Cobourg, provides financing and strategy for entrepreneurs. Nventure provides loans of up to $250,000 for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Tariff support

Starting March 5, 2025, the U.S. government plans to impose a 25% tariff on imported goods to Canada. Additionally, an executive order enforces a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, effective March 12, 2025.

For information and resources, please visit our Tariff Support webpage.