Quebec DÉPART Program (Territory Revitalization): How to Apply

Quebec DÉPART Program (Territory Revitalization): How to Apply

If your business is located in a Quebec region facing economic decline, the Quebec DÉPART Program (Territory Revitalization) can help you grow, hire, or expand. This Investissement Québec program aims to strengthen local entrepreneurship in targeted MRCs by improving access to financing. DÉPART supports regional economic development projects over the long term. It is not a one-time startup grant.

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What Is the DÉPART Program and Who Is It For?

The DÉPART: Programme développement économique pour l’aide à la redynamisation des territoires is a Quebec government initiative delivered by Investissement Québec. Its main goal is to increase business activity in specific regional county municipalities (MRCs) that face economic challenges.

Eligible Businesses

You may be a good fit if your business:

• Is located in an eligible Quebec MRC identified by Investissement Québec
• Is a for-profit business at the startup, growth, or expansion stage
• Carries out commercial or industrial activities that contribute to local economic development
• Has a viable business model and the capacity to repay financing, if required

Eligibility depends mostly on where your business operates. It is not enough to be incorporated in Quebec. Investissement Québec maintains the official list of targeted territories.

How Much Funding Can You Get?

DÉPART funding is usually structured as repayable financial assistance. It is not a non-repayable grant.

Key funding details include:

• Minimum financing: $15,000
• Maximum per business: up to $300,000
• Coverage: generally up to 50% of eligible salary expenses
• Annual caps for hiring support:
  • Up to $25,000 per year for a technical or undergraduate professional
  • Up to $35,000 per year for a master’s or PhD-level professional
• Maximum salary coverage: usually capped at 40% of the employee’s salary

The exact amount depends on your project scope, hiring plan, and regional impact.

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What Expenses Does the Quebec DÉPART Program Support?

The program focuses on job creation and business capacity-building in targeted regions.

Common eligible expenses include:

• Salaries for newly hired technical, professional, or university-level staff
• Costs tied directly to business expansion or operational growth
• Professional services that help your business grow

DÉPART funding can often be combined with other Quebec or regional programs, as long as stacking rules are respected and total public funding limits are not exceeded. You should check stacking rules with Investissement Québec to confirm eligibility. Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter compatible programs by region and business stage quickly.

For more details, see also:

• What expenses are eligible under regional economic development grants?

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How to Apply for the Quebec DÉPART Program

There is no mass online intake form. Applications are handled directly through Investissement Québec advisors.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm your territory
   Make sure your business operates in an eligible MRC targeted by the program.

2. Prepare your project plan
   Outline your growth or expansion project. Include job creation details, salary levels and roles, and the regional economic impact.

3. Contact Investissement Québec
   An advisor will assess your eligibility and guide you on documentation.

4. Submit financial documents
   This usually includes financial statements, forecasts, and payroll details.

5. Funding assessment and approval
   Investissement Québec evaluates project viability, regional impact, and risk.

Because funding is repayable, strong financial planning is important.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming all Quebec regions qualify
  DÉPART only applies to specific MRCs. Being incorporated in Quebec is not enough.

• Treating DÉPART like a grant
  Most funding is repayable. Cash flow planning is essential.

• Applying without a hiring or growth plan
  Job creation and business expansion are core evaluation criteria.

• Ignoring stacking limits
  Combining DÉPART with other programs without checking limits can delay approval.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Quebec DÉPART Program a grant or a loan?
Most DÉPART funding is repayable financing, not a non-repayable grant. Terms vary depending on your project and risk profile.

Q: Which regions are eligible for the DÉPART Program?
Only specific MRCs identified by Investissement Québec qualify. The list changes over time and must be confirmed with an advisor.

Q: Can startups apply for DÉPART funding?
Yes. Startups, as well as growing and expanding businesses, may be eligible if they operate in a targeted territory and meet financial criteria.

Q: Can DÉPART be combined with other Quebec funding programs?
In many cases, yes. DÉPART is often stackable with other provincial or regional programs, subject to total public funding limits. Check stacking rules with Investissement Québec.

Q: Is DÉPART funding taxable?
Tax treatment depends on how the financing is structured. Confirm details with your accountant before accepting funding.

GrantHub tracks many active grant and financing programs across Canada—including regional Quebec programs like DÉPART—to help you see what fits your business profile.

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Next Steps

If your business operates in a targeted Quebec region, the Quebec DÉPART Program (Territory Revitalization) can be a strong option to support hiring and expansion. Before contacting Investissement Québec, it helps to understand how DÉPART fits with other regional programs.

You may also want to explore:

• How to Work With Economic Development and Investment Agencies in Canada
• How University Spin-Offs Can Get Funding in Quebec

Having a clear funding map makes those conversations much easier.