Provincial government invests $2 million in entrepreneurship program

The provincial government is investing in local entrepreneurs.

Local small business and entrepreneur hopefuls in Windsor Essex just got a boost from the Ontario government Tuesday.

The Associate Minister of Small Business Nina Tangri, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, and other officials were on hand at Timber and Plumb on Wyandotte Street East for the occasion.

Minister Tangri announced a $2 million investment in Futurpreneur Canada, which will help more young people develop and launch businesses. In so doing, the initiative aims to strengthen Ontario’s economy, create jobs, and help to combat the impact of U.S. tariffs.

The minister is committed to helping Windsor grow with acute attention to this part of the emerging business sector in the community dealing with a high unemployment rate.

“In hard-hit areas like Windsor, of course, it’s even more important because often they find it very difficult,” said Tangri.

“A lot of people don’t want to invest in those businesses because they at the uncertainty that they’re facing right now. So, I think programs like this, especially at a time like now, is so important.”

The funding will support 320 young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 to 39 with access to financing, mentorship, and guidance to start and grow successful businesses.

This effort is part of the Ontario government’s plan to protect the province’s job sector, its workers and build a stronger, more self-reliant economy.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is appreciative of the funds, maintaining that the key to job growth in Canadian communities is the small business entity.

“The vast majority of new jobs created in any community are small businesses and they need a lift up, a hand up to get a lot of the ideas ready and commercially available,” said Dilkens.

“Think of where we’re at as a community today with the threat of Donald Trump and the tariff issue that’s in front of us, I can tell you there are multiple lenders who are saying we’re freezing investment in Windsor. We’re not we’re not investing until there’s more certainty because there’s too much risk. That means entrepreneurs who have great ideas are sidelined until that environment changes. We don’t want to sideline people.”