Young entrepreneurs in Sault Ste. Marie had until May 15, 2026, to apply for the provincial Summer Company program, which offers students funding and training to start their own businesses. The initiative is open to students between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall.
Administered locally by the City of Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development division, the program provides successful applicants with up to $3,000 in grant funding. Beyond financial assistance, participants receive business training and mentorship from local experts to help them successfully launch and manage a seasonal operation.
The program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. In 2024, the provincial government announced a funding increase of $1.5 million to the initiative, bringing total support to more than $4.7 million over two years to help hundreds of youth across the province.
Locally, the program is delivered at the Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship, which is operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. The initiative has a strong history of success in the Algoma region, with more than 45 businesses launched through the program over the past five years.
