Waterloo Region & Guelph

LoanLocal program

Business loans, CIP Matching Loan and Rural Women in Business Loans

Wellington Waterloo Community Futures makes small business loans in rural townships of Waterloo Region and Wellington County. It has general business loans, a 3% CIP Matching Loan for projects approved for a township Community Improvement Plan grant, and loans of up to $250,000 for women in business. Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph are NOT in its service area.

Amount
Rural Women in Business Loans up to $250,000; CIP Matching Loan up to $20,000 at 3%; general business loan amounts not stated
Status
Year-roundNo deadlines are listed. Loan decisions are made by the board at its monthly meeting.
Type
Small business loans
Run by
Wellington Waterloo Community Futures
Where
Wellesley, Woolwich, North Dumfries, Wilmot
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • Businesses located in Wellesley, Woolwich, North Dumfries or Wilmot townships
  • Or in Puslinch, Erin, Guelph/Eramosa, Centre Wellington or Mapleton (Wellington County)
  • CIP Matching Loan: projects with proof of municipal CIP approval
  • Rural Women in Business Loans: women entrepreneurs in the same area

Not for

  • Businesses in the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge or Guelph (not in the service area)

What it covers

  • Business loans for rural small businesses (amounts and uses not stated)
  • CIP Matching Loan: matching or upfront costs of an approved CIP grant, up to $20,000 per project or property
  • Rural Women in Business Loans: start-up or expansion, up to $250,000

How to apply

  1. Check your business is in one of the listed townships
  2. Prepare a business plan and financial statements or forecasts (templates on their site)
  3. Contact the office for a first interview with the loans officer
  4. Submit the loan application with the required documents
  5. The board decides at its monthly meeting

Good to know

  • CIP Matching Loan: 3% interest, 1 to 5 year term, personal guarantee required.
  • The organization says a township CIP approval means you're automatically approved for matching loan funding, up to $20,000 per project or property.
  • The board looks at the business plan, ability to repay, security, jobs and community benefit.
  • The Rural Women in Business application form on their site is dated 2017; check it's the current one.
  • The business loans page doesn't state amounts, interest rates or terms. They also offer free business coaching.

Questions

My business is in Kitchener. Can I apply?

No. Their listed service area is 4 townships in Waterloo Region (Wellesley, Woolwich, North Dumfries, Wilmot) and 5 in Wellington County. The cities aren't included.

How fast is a decision?

The organization says all financing decisions are made by the board at its monthly meeting. It doesn't give a specific timeline.

What's the CIP Matching Loan for?

It helps cover your share or the upfront costs of a grant approved under a member municipality's Community Improvement Plan, up to $20,000 at 3%.

Related programs

Open, closes Jan 19, 2027Mixed

Indigenous Economic Development Fund

Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)All of Ontario

Open, closes Jan 21, 2027Loan

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario