Trade roadblocks? Let’s find a new route forward.
Maybe that means finding Canadian suppliers, reaching customers in new markets or investing in technology and production capacity.
CANtrade™ financing through Community Futures Huron helps qualifying Huron County businesses put those plans into action, with loans from $5,000 to $150,000.
You don’t need to demonstrate tariff-related losses to qualify, this is financing for strategic investment, not an emergency relief program. Explore the loan features and eligibility below, or contact Tina Heathers, Lending & Business Consultant at Community Futures Huron, at tina@cfhuron.ca, to talk about your plans.
New markets. New partnerships. Your next move starts here.
Flexible and advantageous financing from $5,000 to $150,000 for qualifying businesses.
We provide growth-focused capital so you CAN unlock new markets, forge new partnerships, and pursue new possibilities.
CANtrade™ Loan Features
- Borrow from $5,000 to $150,000
- Interest rate of prime +1%
- Up to a 60-month repayment term
- Interest-only payments for the first 6 months
- No penalties or fees apply if you repay your loan early
- General Security Agreements and Personal Guarantees apply
- At maximum loan amounts, other collateral security may be required
- If the application is approved there is a Loan Administration Fee of 1%
CANtrade™ Loan Program
- Borrow from $5,000 to $150,000
- Interest rate of prime +1%
- Up to a 60-month repayment term
- Interest-only payments for the first 6 months
- No penalties or fees apply if you repay your loan early
- General Security Agreements and Personal Guarantees apply
- At maximum loan amounts, other collateral security may be required
- If the application is approved there is a Loan Administration Fee of 1%
To qualify, applicants must be pursuing at least one of the following:
- Responding to increased inter-provincial trade/domestic customer demand
- Re-shoring and localizing of critical supply chains
- Undergoing competitiveness enhancements
- Increasing production capacity
- Hiring talent and investing in technology
- Looking at opportunity costs of new export market development
- Strengthening trade security/reducing product or supply chain exposure/pivoting to new sectors
- Carrying out Applied R&D with near-term product/service/process innovation commercialization potential
- Incremental business development/marketing activities to diversify revenue
- Investing in localization costs (e.g. certification, legal, labelling, testing, adapting content/products/services to specific languages and cultures, etc.)
- Supply chain diversification
- New market expansion within Canada and/or abroad
- Increasing production capacity to meet new national/global demand
- Working capital stabilization
- Operational efficiencies and savings to absorb tariff impacts
- Professional services (consulting) to assist in any of the above.
Learn more about our loan application process here, or get started with our secure online loan application.
In addition to our standard loan application, you will be required to provide a brief strategic rationale on how your company and project are a fit for CANtrade™.
The questions you will be asked are as follows:
1. How is your company affected by the current trade environment?
2. What are your plans for business stabilization and growth moving forward?
3. How will CANtrade™ financing be used to help achieve your goals?
For more information or assistance with your loan application, please contact Tina Heathers, Lending & Business Consultant at Community Futures Huron, at tina@cfhuron.ca.
The CANtrade™ mark is used under license from Nventure.
Does my company have to show that we were negatively affected by tariffs in order to qualify for this loan?
No. There is no means test for CANtrade™. This is not an emergency or relief program. Instead, CANtrade™ aims to help you reduce business opportunity costs and confidently invest in future growth at a time of trade uncertainty and global economic change.
If my business isn’t a fit for CANtrade™, are there other options for support?
Absolutely. Huron County-based businesses and non-profit organizations can apply for a standard Community Futures Huron loan at any time. Learn more about our loans here.
Is there a deadline for CANtrade™ loan applications?
No. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until available funds are committed. The Community Futures Huron Board of Directors has currently set aside up to $300,000 for the CANtrade™ loan offering.
Let’s Talk
Ready to make your move? Let’s talk.
For more information or assistance with your loan application, please contact Tina Heathers, Lending & Business Consultant at Community Futures Huron, at tina@cfhuron.ca.
Additional Tariff Resources
Looking for information to help your business navigate tariffs and changing trade conditions? The Huron Chamber of Commerce offers a Trade War Hub and a Canada-U.S. Trade War & Tariff Guide with information and resources for businesses. Visit the guide for additional support as you consider your next steps.