Officials are hoping student unemployment numbers won’t be as dismal this summer as they were in 2009.
Stats Canada reported a 21 percent jobless rate for students last July — the highest on record.
Many students turned to a provincial program designed to help them create their own business opportunities.
Summer Company is in its 8th year and Rebecca Ford of The Business Enterprise Centre in Owen Sound and Area says they saw double the number of applicants last year.
Students between 15 and 29 can apply to run their own business and receive up to 3 thousand dollars in start up and operating costs.
Ford says the deadline is May — but if they reach their cap before that — they’ll close the application process.
She says interested students need to come up with a business plan with which the Centre will help.
Ford says typically they see everything from lawn care to photography businesses depending on the age of the student.
To apply for Summer Company — call the Business Enterprise Centre in Owen Sound at (519) 371-3232 or go online to www.ontario.ca/summercompany