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Maria, June 12, 2024. — The SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 5, 2024 at the Microbrasserie Bistro La belle aventure de Bonaventure. Since 1984, it has injected more than $33 million into businesses and projects in the region, for $233 million in spinoffs in the community.

 

As part of the festivities surrounding the 40th anniversary, the president of the SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs, Charles Guérette, highlighted the implementation of a fruit tree planting project in collaboration with two community organizations in the region: the Source Alimentaire Bonavignon, in Maria, and the Collectif Aliment-Terre, in Paspébiac. Steps are also being taken for the Avignon West sector to carry out a similar project. This initiative will make it possible to plant different fruit trees in the collective and community gardens of these organizations. When mature, these trees will provide a variety of fruit to their beneficiaries. “As an SADC, our vision is to have a positive impact on the vitality of communities and the fruit tree planting project is our way of saying thank you to the community and leaving a positive legacy for years to come. In addition, we hope that this initiative will inspire others to join us and support the community ” he said.

During the year 2023-2024, more than $1.5 million was injected into the community by the organization in the three main lines of business of the SADC: financing, technical assistance to businesses and support for local economic development. Altogether one hundred and one (101) interventions were deployed and supported by the SADC team over the past year, generating economic spinoffs of more than $11.9 million.

This year concludes with the end of the five-year agreement with Canada Economic Development. In terms of funding, it is important to highlight the renewal of the agreement with our funder for a new five-year period. This agreement will bring certain new features that will have a positive impact on the development of the territory’s businesses in terms of sustainable development, succession and digital development.

While many communities in Quebec are struggling to find business successors, the Baie-des-Chaleurs region is distinguished by a succession that is generally present. “The dynamism of business successions in the Baie-des-Chaleurs has allowed us to support the transition of several organizations. In fact, 44 projects have been completed in the last 5 years, compared to 23 projects for the previous 5 years, which represents almost double the number of projects,” says Executive Director Lyne Lebrasseur, who points out that the Youth Strategy program, which supports promoters aged 39 and under in their business projects, is particularly well suited to business succession cases.

For next year’s action plan, the SADC will work to integrate environmental, social and governance issues even more fully into its policies and file analysis process. It intends to promote responsible investments while offering sustainable development support. In addition, it will offer a 13th edition of the HR Symposium which will take place on November 6. These activities will be offered in continuity with financing, support and local development actions.

 

The SADC over the years

The SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs has 211 members to contribute to the development of a vision for the future of its community and thus allows the creation, consolidation and development of businesses and employment in the region. Over the past 40 years, the organization has injected more than $33 million into the regional economy, generating nearly $233 million in spinoffs in the community. Info and Membership: sadcbc.ca

The full annual report is available at sadcbc.ca, under the “Annual Report” section, under “Your SADC”.

 

Highlights of the year 2023-2024

• More than 1.5 million invested
• 23 interventions in loans ($919,549), 78 in non-repayable contributions ($588,817)
• 30% acquisition projects
• 136 jobs supported
• $11.9 million in economic spinoffs
• 211 members

 

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Information and interview requests:

Charles Guérette, President, 418 788-5758 | charlesguerette@gmail.com

Lyne Lebrasseur, General manager, 418-759-1555, ext. 222 | llebrasseur@sadcbc.ca

Incorporated as a non-profit organization (NPO) in 1998, the Corporation de gestion et de mise en valeur du mont Saint-Joseph, in Carleton-sur-Mer, preserves and values the cultural and natural heritage of this exceptional site. A meeting with its Director General, Olivier Côté-Vaillancourt.

 

In what way is the Corporation unique?

As an NPO, the Corporation is under the responsibility of a volunteer Board of Directors. According to Olivier, as an NPO, it can devote itself to its mission without being solely profit-driven. “Everything gets reinvested for social or economic development.” The site sets itself apart by offering “the highest summit in Quebec accessible by asphalted roadway. It’s interesting for the mobility aspect and to appreciate the magnificent view of the heritage that surrounds us, both historical and cultural.” Other unique attractions include mountain bike trails, unconventional accommodation, and a chapel.

How did support from the SADC help you?

In recent years, the Corporation has acquired new infrastructures such as geodomes and a reception building. In the post-pandemic period, it obtained a preferential-rate loan from the SADC to cover part of the costs. “There was an increase in the cost of materials and construction,” says Olivier. “We had to absorb these costs to complete the project.”

Tell us about a recent noteworthy achievement of which you are especially proud in the field of sustainable development. 

“We’re involved in a number of initiatives and approaches (e.g. regenerative tourism) so that in the future, we can include more and more good practices in our management and planning,” affirms Olivier. He also highlights the introduction of a shuttle service linking the campground, the beach, and the summit of the mountain seven times a day in summer. “This reduces the strain of vehicles both in the city and on the mountain.”

What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting up a business in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region?

“Listen to the community, get involved in your community and try to form partnerships,” says Olivier. To maximize the chances of success, he believes that the proposed offer must meet a genuine need in the community.

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About the Corporation

The Corporation ensures the sustainability and development of the Mont-Saint-Joseph Regional Park. Highlights include hiking and mountain biking trails, geodomes and aiguilles (small chalets), a heritage chapel and lookouts at an altitude of 555 metres offering spectacular views of the Baie-des-Chaleurs.

Laura-Anne Lamarche and Ghislain Dea co-founded the Maille atelier collaboratif in 2019 at New Richmond. Since then, their long lasting-furniture has enhanced the decoration and optimized many residences, businesses and organizations in the Gaspésie region. Interview with Laura-Anne about entrepreneurship and her business, which had received support from the SADC Baie-des-Chaleurs.

 

A Thumbnail Sketch of the Business

Maille atelier collaboratif combines professional design services and furniture making to develop interior layout which is adapted to the specific needs of each client. With painstaking attention to details, her team manufactures and installs long-lasting quality furniture of a beauty that time cannot wash away.

In what way is your business unique?

“The originality of the projects we develop is outstanding in addition to the broad scope of products we are able to offer with all of the sub-contractors who support us” says Laura-Anne. “We try not to have limits in our designs or use of materials. We work with metal, wood and glass. We don’t just make cupboards. We can make stairs and guardrails. This is architectural furniture making. Most of the time it is functional, but we are sometimes on the fringe of art.”

Why have you chosen to be entrepreneurs?

“Ghislain and myself were unable to find employment in the region for what we wanted to accomplish” explained Laura-Anne. “Our passion led us to become entrepreneurs, to create employment and to like our job. We also felt that the offer of made-to-measure furniture could be improved in the region.”

How did support from the SADC help you?

First, Maille obtained financing. “It was one of the most advantageous offers in the region” mentioned the young entrepreneur. “It is a personal loan and it’s really interesting as seed capital to start up a business.” Maille also had support from the SADC during the pandemic, including support for a structuring project. This assistance “allowed us to conduct strategic planning, to have support to review the structure of the business and to become more efficient.”

Tell us about a recent noteworthy achievement of which you are especially proud as an entrepreneur (ex.: in the field of sustainable development).

“We always try to select the most sustainable materials” specified Laura-Anne. “We recently submitted a research theme to the CIRADD (a research centre attached to the Cégep de la Gaspésie and des Îles), which was accepted. Students in nature science who work in a partnership with CIRADD staff will make proposals to us on how to recycle the cuttings from our materials.”

What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting up a business in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region?

“You have to be a little naive. Don’t ask yourself too many questions. Try it, go!” suggests Laura-Anne. “I think that our success is due to the fact that we’re passionate about it. But you have to realize that you won’t always be doing what is a passion for you.” Open-mindedness and collaboration are also essential. “It’s important not to be afraid of asking for help when dealing with something you know less about and to seek good support from the right people.”

 

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About Laura-Anne Lamarche and Ghislain Dea

Co-founders of the Maille Atelier collaboratif, Laura-Anne Lamarche and Ghislain Dea have complementary know how in their business. A member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, Laura-Anne is a project manager and architect. Ghislain is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and he works as a technical designer and mechanical engineer.

Marie-Pier Grenier and Adrien Bernier Nadeau founded La belle vie sailing in Paspébiac, in 2019. Since then, the popularity of their sailing company hasn’t stopped growing. In fact, the couple obtained support from the SADC Baie-des-Chaleurs in 2021 to ensure its expansion. On board the Vanamo catamaran docked in Bouillante, Guadeloupe, Marie-Pier answered our questions to let you discover the company and the team of entrepreneurs that she and her spouse make.

 

A Thumbnail Sketch of the Company

Benefitting from the busy tourist season in the summer, La belle vie sailing offers sailing courses and cruises of 3 to 24 hours with a sleepover and a meal on the Baie des Chaleurs. During the winter, the company offers one-week “sailing holidays” in the Caribbean.

How Does Your Company Stand Out?  

According to Marie-Pier, La belle vie sailing is one of the few if not the only businesses in Quebec to offer its services year-round. “It’s our sailing ship, we bring it down to the Caribbean and this makes our company original and unique!” Another distinguishing point: “the fact that we are a couple of entrepreneurs. We are both on board the ship on a full-time basis to offer our services. Our skills and strengths are very complementary.” The couple calls on its uniqueness to offer a personalized client experience, with stayovers and meals on board.

Why Have You Chosen to Become Entrepreneurs?

“I think that it’s the thirties doldrums” says Marie-Pier. We were no longer happy with subway, work, sleep. Right from the start, we wanted to found a company, to build something viable, new, distinctive.” The couple also wanted to travel and discover the world differently. Adrien got the idea for sailing, as he wanted to live his passion. As far as I was concerned, I always dreamed of starting up a business. We both wanted freedom of choice for what we wanted to do. Have decision-making power over our lives and what make us live.”

What did Support From the SADC Give You?

“It allowed us to complete a first phase in the expansion of the company, affirmed Mare-Pier. We obtained financing to purchase a live-in multi-hull catamaran sailing vessel to have room for more clients at the same time and cater to the strong demand. Secondly, we will want to purchase other sailing vessels.”

 

Tell Us About a Recent Good Move of Which You Are Especially Proud as Entrepreneurs (ex. regarding sustainable development). “We are essentially a company, considering its activities and equipment, which is very ecological, noted Marie-Pier. We use renewable energy on board. We make our own water and electricity independently.” Marie-Pier explained that solar panels allow developing energy which is stored in their batteries to power lights, navigation instruments, etc. These batteries also power the desalination device that pumps in seawater, withdraws particles, including salt, and pumps out soft drinking water.

“In the last months, we managed to recruit a major partner: Volthium, a Quebec company. Encouraging local companies is also part of our values! This company develops lithium batteries. This is more ecological than acid batteries and much more durable over time. »

What Advice Would You Give a Person Who Wants to Start Up in Business in the Baie-des-Chaleurs Region?

“Do not hesitate to contact other businesses and organizations in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region” mentioned Marie-Pier. “It is necessary to develop links and partnerships with locals. With strength in numbers, we can go farther and faster!”

 

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About Adrien and Marie-Pier

Originally from Lévis, Marie-Pier Grenier was a business advisor and management consultant in addition to having worked for 10 years in the restaurant business. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA in international management, she is in charge of customer service for La belle vie sailing.

 

Originally from Carleton-sur-Mer, Adrien Bernier Nadeau learned navigation on his parent’s sailing vessel in the Baie-des-Chaleurs. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he has acquired several licences and certificates which allowed him to become a captain and sailing instructor for La belle vie sailing.