November 1, 2001

Independent small businesses have a resource they can turn to for advice and financial support.  Eight communities in the Southwest Ontario have community-based not-for-profit corporations governed by volunteer boards with qualified professional staff who have literally changed people’s lives for the better.  From Fort Erie through to Port Colborne, Welland, Caledonia, Brantford, Ohsweken, Simcoe and Ingersoll and the neighbouring rural areas, Community Futures Development Corporations are such a resource.

Before words such as business mentors, guides and coaches became fashionable, there were CFDC Managers giving advice to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Businesses ranging from local sole proprietorships to highly technical growth ventures with international sales are representative examples of the thousands who have profited by the CFDCs support.

Facilitated by government policy through Industry Canada, the Community Futures Program puts financial resources into the rural areas of this province to be directed by community representatives for the benefit of the local economy.  This investment in the community is not a gift and is repaid many times over by the jobs created, increased economic activity, a sense of pride and ownership, as well as the interest paid on funds borrowed.