TORONTO, Sept. 27,
2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Council for
Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and Hydro One announced the launch of
the Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant for 2023. This
year, 10 Indigenous entrepreneurs will each receive a $7,500 grant to expand their business and
contribute to their communities' prosperity.
Past recipient, RAW Group, is an Anishinaabe owned medium to
large general contractor group specializing in electrical, HVAC
maintenance, concrete, civil works, and more. In 2022, with Hydro
One and the CCAB's support, RAW Group was able to use the funds to
expand their business and innovate within their industry.
"Receiving the Hydro One grant, with CCAB's support, was a
pivotal moment in our business's evolution," said Morgan Messenger, Business Development Manager,
RAW Group. "It provided us with the resources to invest in
implementing the most current technologies, giving us the means to
stay ahead of the curve."
"We're happy to be partnering with Hydro One once again," said
Philip Ducharme, Vice President of
Entrepreneurship and Procurement, CCAB. "We've seen how these
grants positively impact Indigenous entrepreneurs, and it's clear
that we have a shared commitment to fostering economic growth
through the support of Indigenous businesses."
"At Hydro One, we're committed to Reconciliation and working
together with communities to grow our network of Indigenous
suppliers," said Penny Favel, Vice President, Indigenous Relations,
Sustainability and President & CEO Remote Communities Inc.,
Hydro One. "We're proud to continue making this investment in the
success of Indigenous-owned businesses that will foster Indigenous
prosperity now and in the future."
Launched in 2021, the grant was created to provide financial
assistance to Ontario-based
Indigenous-owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. CCAB
research from the 2022 COVID-19 Indigenous Business Survey:
Phase III report showed that Indigenous businesses continue to
experience negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more
than half (59 per cent) of the businesses that received government
financial assistance reporting that the funding did not meet their
needs.
As a gold-certified member in CCAB's Progressive Aboriginal
Relations™ (PAR) program, Hydro One is committed to fostering an
equitable and sustainable economy. This partnership is a part of
Hydro One's commitments to direct at least 20 per cent of its
corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities and
organizations that benefit Indigenous communities, and to increase
Indigenous procurement spend to five per cent of the company's
purchases of materials and services by 2026.
Applications are now open and can be submitted until
Oct. 23, 2023. To apply for the Hydro
One Entrepreneurship Grant and for more information about
eligibility, visit
www.ccab.com/hydro-one-indigenous-entrepreneurship-grant-2023.
About the Canadian Council for
Aboriginal Business
CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous
peoples in Canada's economy. As a
national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote,
strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the
fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and
awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to
its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous
peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information visit
www.ccab.com.
For more information contact:
Alannah Jabokwoam
Senior Associate, Communications & Public Relations
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
ajabokwoam@ccab.com
T: 416.961.8663 ext. 227
Hydro One Limited (TSX:
H)
Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and
distribution provider with approximately 1.5 million valued
customers, approximately $31.5 billion in assets as
at December 31, 2022, and annual revenues in 2022 of
approximately $7.8 billion.
Our team of approximately 9,300 skilled and dedicated employees
proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system
which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities.
In 2022, Hydro One invested approximately $2.1 billion in
its transmission and distribution networks, and supported the
economy through buying approximately $1.9 billion of
goods and services.
We are committed to the communities where we live and work
through community investment, sustainability and diversity
initiatives. We are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Leader™
by Electricity Canada.
Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the TSX and
certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes are listed on the
NYSE. Additional information can be accessed
at www.hydroone.com, www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov.
For further information: Media can contact Hydro One
Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in
Ontario only) or 416-345-6868.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.