{"id":11228,"date":"2025-07-22T10:54:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T14:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sadcdev.picard.ca\/?p=11228"},"modified":"2025-09-05T12:24:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:24:24","slug":"2024-2025-report-entrepreneurship-innovation-engagement-a-year-of-impact-from-sadc-shawinigan-and-fonds-laprade-st-maurice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sadcdev.picard.ca\/en\/2024-2025-report-entrepreneurship-innovation-engagement-a-year-of-impact-from-sadc-shawinigan-and-fonds-laprade-st-maurice\/","title":{"rendered":"2024\u20132025 Report | Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Engagement: A Year of Impact from SADC Shawinigan and Fonds LaPrade St-Maurice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shawinigan, June 18, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 At their Annual General Meeting, SADC Shawinigan<\/em> and the Fonds LaPrade St-Maurice<\/em> presented their 2024\u20132025 annual report. Drawing on their deep local expertise and strong community roots, the SADC and the Fonds LaPrade pursued their mission of fostering Shawinigan\u2019s and the region\u2019s socioeconomic development through enhanced support services, financing, and local economic development initiatives.<\/p>\n

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Strategic Investments at the Heart of Priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past year, the SADC\u2019s investment fund injected more than $2.7 million into local businesses, generating nearly $6 million in additional investments. The Youth Strategy Fund<\/em> stood out once again, supporting 17 projects led by young entrepreneurs through loans totaling $265,837 \u2014 a clear sign of the region\u2019s vibrant entrepreneurial succession.<\/p>\n

For its part, the Fonds LaPrade St-Maurice<\/em> supported three business projects with over $827,000 in funding.<\/p>\n

The second full year of the FlexiLoan Program for Women<\/em> provided tailored support to flexipreneurs<\/em>, while funding nine women-led projects in Shawinigan with loans totaling $165,000.<\/p>\n

This pilot project, carried out in partnership with the SADC and CAE Network of Quebec<\/em> and involving several organizations across the province, was supported by a rigorous evaluation conducted by the Institute for SME Research at UQTR<\/em>. A social media ambassador campaign<\/em> was also launched to promote and raise awareness of this unique form of entrepreneurship. The campaign was a great success, reaching nearly 500,000 women.<\/p>\n

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A Human-Centered Approach Rooted in Local Reality<\/strong><\/p>\n

The year was also marked by regional coordination of the T\u00eate Premi\u00e8re<\/em> program, focused on entrepreneurs\u2019 psychological well-being. This innovative initiative offered individual sessions, support groups, training, and conferences \u2014 highlighting growing awareness of the human side of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

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Strengthening Digital Literacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

The SADC and Fonds LaPrade continued their efforts to improve digital literacy among both businesses and citizens, with targeted initiatives for seniors and digitally underserved populations.<\/p>\n

The Acc\u00e8sTI\u2013SME<\/em> initiative, supported by the City of Shawinigan, helped around fifty businesses develop and implement their digital strategies.<\/p>\n

The Acc\u00e8sTI\u2013Citizens<\/em> program, also supported by the City, aims to enhance digital literacy among residents aged 18 and older. A total of 324 individuals received support through the Espace Acc\u00e8sTI<\/em>, a walk-in center where people can get tips and advice on using digital devices.<\/p>\n

The year also marked the end of the Acc\u00e8sTI\u2013Seniors<\/em> program \u2014 a two-year initiative designed to improve digital literacy among individuals aged 55 and over. Nearly 200 participants received mainly one-on-one training to help build confidence and autonomy in using the Internet and digital tools. Supported by the Government of Canada, this initiative helped break digital isolation for many, while fostering greater social and economic inclusion.<\/p>\n

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