Regional collaboration aims to shift firms toward an "economy of functionality and cooperation"
The City of Sherbrooke and economic development organisations across the Eastern Townships have launched a collaborative project to help local companies evolve their business models and remain competitive in the face of changing markets.
Led by Sherbrooke Innovante and funded through the 2024–2029 Sectoral Development Agreement for the Economy in Estrie, the initiative promotes what partners describe as an "economy of functionality and cooperation" — an approach that encourages firms to prioritise innovation, shared services and collaborative practices over traditional product‑centric models.
According to a news release, the project brings together a network of regional organisations and municipal and provincial partners to provide tools and support for businesses as they reconfigure operations and seek new sources of value.
- Primary lead: Sherbrooke Innovante
- Regional partners: Granby Industriel et Entrepreneuriat Haute‑Yamaska; MRCs of Brome‑Missisquoi, Coaticook, Memphrémagog, des Sources and Val‑Saint‑François
- Sectoral coordination: Table des MRC de l’Estrie as the mandated representative
Political and regional backing
Saint‑François MNA Geneviève Hébert welcomed the project, saying it will help businesses become more competitive while preparing for future economic challenges. She emphasised the importance of innovation and cooperation to the region’s prosperity.
"In Estrie, we have everything to gain by focusing on innovation and collaboration to build a strong and sustainable economy," Hébert said. "By supporting our businesses as their business models evolve, this project gives them the tools to increase their competitiveness, create more value and meet the challenges of tomorrow."
Hébert also framed the initiative as an example of regional mobilisation, noting provincial support and the role of local actors in shaping a collective economic response.
What the initiative aims to do for local firms
The release outlines a focus on helping companies reimagine how they deliver value — shifting from selling products to offering services, sharing capacities, or forming closer co‑operative ties with other firms and public bodies. Organisers say these transitions can help businesses reduce costs, access new markets and improve resilience against disruptive economic trends.
Practical supports were not itemised in the release, but the involvement of municipal and MRC partners suggests coordination across territory‑wide economic development channels. The sectoral agreement itself includes the Quebec government, the region’s MRCs, the City of Sherbrooke and the Table des MRC de l’Estrie, indicating multi‑level engagement.
| Partner type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Lead organisation | Sherbrooke Innovante |
| Local economic groups | Granby Industriel et Entrepreneuriat Haute‑Yamaska |
| MRC partners | Brome‑Missisquoi, Coaticook, Memphrémagog, des Sources, Val‑Saint‑François |
| Sectoral coordinator | Table des MRC de l’Estrie |
Local context and potential impact
For Sherbrooke, a city with a diversified economic base including manufacturing, services, education and health sectors, the initiative fits an ongoing push to integrate innovation into growth strategies. By concentrating on business model transformation and inter‑firm cooperation, organisers aim to help smaller businesses overcome capacity constraints and tap into collective resources.
City officials and economic development actors have in recent years sought to attract investment while improving support for entrepreneurs in a region that also contends with demographic shifts and workforce challenges. A coordinated regional approach could streamline access to financing, advisory services and pilot projects that demonstrate the benefits of cooperative models.
Organisers said the project builds on the 2024–2029 sectoral agreement, but detailed timelines, funding levels and specific programming were not released in the statement. The Table des MRC de l’Estrie is the mandated representative for the sectoral agreement, which provides the governance structure for deploying the initiative across the region.
Local entrepreneurs and business associations now face the task of converting high‑level goals into concrete action. If successful, the initiative could help companies in Sherbrooke and neighbouring MRCs reframe competition as an opportunity for shared innovation and sustained economic value.
Further announcements from Sherbrooke Innovante and the Table des MRC de l’Estrie are expected as the project moves from planning to implementation.
