The objective of the Economic Policy and Programs Branch is to encourage and facilitate entrepreneurial and employment opportunities within the province through the establishment of new businesses or the expansion/retention of existing Manitoba businesses.
The Branch promotes increased access to capital for industry by serving as a principal source of financial advice and assistance for businesses to expand or locate in Manitoba. In addition to delivery and administration of financial programs for the department, the Branch develops and administers a number of third party delivered pools of risk capital.
Programs
- Manitoba Works Capital Incentive
The Manitoba Works Capital Incentive encourages significant new business investment or existing business expansion by creating a competitive tax environment to help diversify Manitoba’s economy and stimulate job creation. The proponent of an approved project under the incentive receives a tax rebate of the incremental education property taxes that are generated as a result of capital investment on the approved property for a period of up to 20 years or until education property taxes are eliminated, whichever is sooner. - Innovation Growth Program
This program provides cost-sharing assistance to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to assist them in developing and commercializing new innovative products and processes. The IGP will support SMEs in the development and growth stages of the business life-cycle to reduce the risks associated with innovative product development, accelerate growth and strengthen their financial position so they can secure future funding to build their Manitoba-based business.
Tax Credits
- Community Enterprise Development Tax Credit (CEDTC)
The CEDTC provides a refundable Manitoba tax credit of up to 45% to individuals and corporations who acquire equity capital in community-based enterprises in Manitoba. - Manitoba Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (MIDMTC)
The MIDMTC is a refundable corporate income tax credit which provides up to a 40% credit on qualified labour expenditures, and some marketing and distribution expenses, incurred in the development of eligible interactive digital media products for market. - Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit Program (SBVCTC)
The SBVCTC provides a non-refundable Manitoba tax credit of up to 45% to individuals and corporations who acquire equity capital in eligible Manitoba enterprises. - Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit
The Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit offers employees (including directors and officers of an eligible corporation) the opportunity to buy into and own a portion of a business under an Employee Share Ownership Plan. - Complete List of Corporate Tax Credits
A one-stop portal for non-profit organizations to access a variety of government grants. Manitoba Grants Online currently features grant offerings from four departments - Municipal Relations, Agriculture, Sustainable Development and Sport, Culture and Heritage. Please visit this site in the future for access to even more grants from other departments as they join the portal.
The Young Entrepreneurs Program encourages Manitoba’s young people to start their own full-time, viable businesses, and in the process pursue self-employment as a career choice. Applications are accepted on a year-round basis from youth aged 18 to 29 years. Under the Young Entrepreneurs program, approved applicants are eligible for a grant of up to $4,000 to help defray business start-up costs and capital expenditures.