Small Business Recovery Consulting Rebate
Get up to 85% of your consulting costs back, up to $30,000 a year, to help your business recover from a downturn. You must pay the consultant first and wait for the rebate, so ensure you have the cash flow to cover upfront costs.
“The SBR Consulting Rebate will reimburse small and medium sized businesses (operators) for contracted consulting services.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
The official page does not say whether you need approval before you hire the consultant. Ask NDIT before you sign or pay anything, because money spent early often does not count for grants like this.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a small or medium business in the NDIT region of central or northern B.C. with fewer than 500 employees and under $100 million in annual revenue.
- You need expert advice on business planning, e-commerce, operations, or financial management to recover from a recent downturn.
- You have the cash flow to pay a consultant upfront and wait for the reimbursement, or you can find a consultant willing to wait for payment.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are located outside the NDIT region, such as on Vancouver Island or in the Lower Mainland.
- You are a new sole proprietorship that is less than two years old or earns less than $30,000 annually, unless you are incorporated.
- You need funding for physical renovations, equipment, or staff salaries, as this program only covers third-party consulting services.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a new website with online booking:
Project cost
$15,000
Program pays
$12,750
You pay
$2,250
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
You can recover up to 85% of your eligible consulting costs, capped at $30,000 per year. Your project must have a minimum budget of $1,000 to qualify.
What may be supported
- Business planning and strategic planning.
- Business continuity and emergency response planning.
- Market development and e-commerce development.
- Business coaching.
- Human resource management.
- Operational efficiency and process improvement (including transition to digital platforms).
- Quality and safety management.
- Cash flow and financial management systems.
- Inventory management.
- Marketing strategies, brand development/evolution, and web development (as part of consulting).
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must download and save the application guide and reporting form to your desktop before starting, as the online portal does not save data if you enter it directly in the browser. You also need to coordinate with a consultant to define eligible costs.
- 01Confirm your business is located in the NDIT region (central and northern B.C.) and meets the size/revenue criteria.
- 02Identify a third-party consultant for eligible services like business planning, e-commerce development, or operational efficiency.
- 03Download the application guide and reporting form to your desktop; do not rely on browser auto-save.
- 04Log in to the NDIT Portal at ndit.my.site.com/s/ and submit your application.
- 05Pay the consultant for the services rendered.
- 06Submit the reporting form and invoices to claim your rebate of up to 85% (max $30,000).
Who to ask: Email: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca; Phone: (250) 561-2525; Address: 301-1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, BC V2L3L2; Online contact form available on the website.
Documents commonly required
- Application guide and reporting form (downloaded to desktop).
- Proof of business location in the NDIT region.
- Proof of business structure (incorporation documents or sole proprietorship registration with revenue proof if applicable).
- Invoices from the third-party consultant for eligible services.
- Evidence of payment to the consultant.
What to know before you count on it
- You pay the full cost first: this is a rebate, meaning you must have the cash flow to pay the consultant upfront and wait for reimbursement.
- Strict eligibility for sole proprietors: if you are not incorporated, you must have been in business for at least two years and earn more than $30,000 annually.
- Consulting only: this does not cover physical improvements, inventory, or direct marketing spend; it covers the professional advice and strategy services.
- Tax implications: the reimbursed grant portion is generally taxable income; ask your accountant how this affects your net recovery.
What are your odds?
Intake is continuous, but budget limits may apply, so apply early while funds are available. Send a complete application and ask NDIT before you start work, because starting too early or sending incomplete information can disqualify you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be incorporated to apply?
No, but if you are a sole proprietorship, you must have been established for two or more years and have more than $30,000 in annual revenues. The official page does not list an age or revenue minimum for incorporated businesses, but they must be privately owned and have fewer than 500 employees.
Can I use this for website design or marketing?
Yes, if it is part of a broader consulting service like 'market development,' 'e-commerce development,' or 'brand development/evolution.' It does not cover direct ad spend or physical signage.
How do I apply?
Apply online via the NDIT Portal at ndit.my.site.com/s/. Important: Download and save the application guide and reporting form to your computer desktop prior to entering information, as browser entry will not save data.
Is there a deadline?
The program takes applications all year, with no set deadline.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Websites
Grants and loans to help you build or improve your business website.
Funding for E-commerce
Grants and loans to help you launch or improve your online store.
Funding for Online Ordering and Booking
Grants and loans may help pay for online ordering, booking and reservation systems.
Funding for Retail POS
Grants and loans that may help pay for point-of-sale systems and other store technology.
What you can combine it with
Check if you can combine this with the Competitiveness Consulting Rebate or Northern Industries Innovation Fund, but confirm with NDIT as stacking rules vary.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.