Huron County's Small Business Centre has recently received funding to help social enterprises across the province.
Project lead Nicki Darbyson explains a social enterprise is any business that has a triple bottom line; an economic impact, a social impact and an environmental impact. She says many businesses that would qualify don't self-identify as a social enterprise but there is funding and support available to them to offset some of the compromises they have to make to adhere to meet their targets. She points out there could be an economic sacrifice from using environmentally friendly packaging or to hiring someone with barriers.
Darbyson says one of the things the Social Enterprise project involves is meeting with businesses that are either starting up or expanding and helps them clearly define their goals and identify what they have to do to meet their objectives. Darbyson says their Social Enterprise group can provide them with training but also direct them to funding that is available for a social enterprise business.
Anyone looking for more information on the project can go to the Huron Small Business Centre web site or at Social Enterprise Southwest.