PME MTL: A network of experts to support entrepreneurs and businesses

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 26, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre, presented today the city's new model of local economic development. Of the 18 business support organizations previously on the island of Montréal, we now have six hubs that serve the whole of the territory with unified services and a unique image: PME MTL. This integrated vision of business development eliminates several administrative barriers that were perceived as severe irritants to entrepreneurs. On each of their territories, the PME MTL hubs will become entry points towards services that respond to the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs, including those of social economics.

"Restructuring the support system for local economic development was carried out using the existing expertise and was based on a commitment to maintain quality services made available by local organizations. Beyond achieving economies of scale, this reorganization will facilitate cooperation between key players by introducing a more consistent and better coordinated approach throughout the Montréal territory. We need two key words to improve the creation, growth and survival rate of private and social enterprises. Those words are: simplification and harmonization," said the mayor of Montréal.

The PME MTL network puts the entrepreneur at the centre of the ecosystem by simplifying the business process, and by providing support services and funding at each stage of the business project, from start-up to growth. This new model is supported by a strong network, resource consolidation and expertise.

The Montréal territory is supported by six hubs, which are:

• PME MTL Ouest-de-l'Île
• PME MTL Centre-Ouest
• PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest
• PME MTL Centre-Ville
• PME MTL Centre-Est
• PME MTL Est-de-l'Île

The administration council for each of the hubs will be composed of elected local officials and administrators working in the following categories: entrepreneur, young entrepreneur, research, innovation and teaching, social economics, professional services, financial services and business association.

As a complement to the network's service offer, the city supports stakeholders and their ambition to create an entrepreneurial school in Montréal, which would offer training to local entrepreneurs.

The success of the new Montréal model of local economic development is strengthened by the introduction of new partnerships with the Mouvement Desjardins to implement the support program for young entrepreneurs, CréAvenir, throughout the entire island. Partners with the RéseauM of the Fondation de l'entrepreneurship, Fondation Montréal inc., and Futurpreneur complement the support offered to young entrepreneurs. Existing partnerships, such as the Fonds local de solidarité of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Placement assisté d'Emploi Québec, have also been renewed.

In considering the demands of the new metropolis status, Montréal wants to obtain more power relating to economic development in order to better support the startup, development and growth of businesses in our territory. The PME MTL network will eventually be able to handle new mandates and obtain new development tools permitting it to further support entrepreneurs and innovative projects as part of the economic development strategy of the city.

Entrepreneurs and business representatives can now find the organization that serves their area on the network's new website at: pmemtl.com.

"The organizations will work together to help entrepreneurs. The purpose of this new model is coherence. We have listened to the needs of entrepreneurs and we have responded. Today, I can tell them, Montréal is ready to do business with you. Come see us. We are open for business!" concluded Mr. Coderre.

This press conference is available on the YouTube channel of the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Denis Coderre, at the following address: http://bit.ly/1LekA8U

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source: Catherine Maurice, Attachée de presse, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, 514 346-7598; Information: François Goneau, Relationniste, Service des communications, 514 868-5859