Objective

The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), is seeking to develop a program to provide short term support to small to medium sized for-profit businesses that are subject to U.S. tariffs on exported goods or retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports. The goal of the program is to assist businesses with the transition of business operations and to diversify export and import markets.

Program Details:

The program will be open for applications until May 30th. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility by the Chamber and sent for evaluation and approval to a committee consisting of three members from the Chamber and CEDC.

Funding will be distributed on a first come first served for eligible projects, until all grants are distributed. If the grants are not fully distributed in the first round of applications, the Chamber and CEDC may consider a second intake for grants. All projects in the program must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Funding will be distributed on a reimbursement basis; approved program applicants must submit a final report and project receipts upon project completion to receive the grant. If federal/provincial tariff support programs of a similar nature are implemented this program will close to applications.

A total of 15 projects will be funded at $7,500, with a minimum project cost of $10,000 total. Program Funds will not stack with other government funding.

Applicant Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply to the program businesses must:

• Have experienced a significant material change to their business operations due to tariffs
• Be a for-profit registered business for a minimum of two years and in full compliance with all government  laws and regulations
• Be located in the Census Metropolitan Area of Thunder Bay (includes municipalities of Thunder Bay, Oliver  Paipoonge, Neebing, Conmee, O’Connor, Shuniah, Gillies, and Fort William First Nation)
• Have less than 50 direct employees
• Be a direct exporter of products to the United States that are subject to tariffs that were implemented March 4th , 2025, or later; AND/OR
• Be a direct importer of products from the United States that are subject to Canada’s retaliatory tariffs  implemented March 4th , 2025, or later

Eligible Activities:

The following project activities are eligible for program funding, including:

• Third-party professional fees related to legal costs, management consulting and/or related third party support to update import/export contracts, agreements, custom compliance etc.
• Third-party professional fees related to new product market exploration, development to diversity sales and  supplies, identification of alternative suppliers, lead generation projects etc.
• Travel and tradeshow and marketing costs may be considered on a case by case basis
• Projects & activities otherwise deemed as eligible by the Chamber

Ineligible Activities:

The following project activities are ineligible for program funding:

• Internal labour costs
• Administration costs
• In-kind contributions
• Operating costs including rent, staff wages, marketing, memberships, reoccurring expenditures and  maintenance
• Capital costs and leasehold improvements

Questions?

Set up a virtual appointment with Charla Robinson https://calendly.com/charla-yjwp/30min

IMPORTANT:

Before You Apply

Download and complete this fillable PDF which describes the breakdown for your funding request. You will be required to upload it as part of your application submission below.

Program Application Form