Government of Canada continues support for rural economic development in southern Ontario

MEDIA RELEASE via Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

EMBRUN, ON, February 13, 2023 – Rural businesses, organizations and communities make a big impact on Canada’s economy. In order to ensure they can meet challenges head on, our Government is providing access to the tools and support they need to succeed.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, visited Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery Inc. to announce an investment of nearly $40 million over the next three years for southern Ontario’s trusted network of Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs).

Through the Community Futures Program, this continued investment will allow the 36 CFDCs and three CFDC associations in southern Ontario to continue on their path of growth. These organizations offer expert knowledge and tailored on-the-ground support to the rural businesses, organizations and communities they serve. This includes providing business counselling and access to capital, as well as support for community economic development and strategic community economic planning. Supporting them ensures they can help rural businesses be the best they can be.

Over the years, the CFDCs in southern Ontario have supported thousands of businesses. Family-owned Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery Inc. in Embrun received support through the Prescott-Russell CFDC which allowed them to grow their facilities and generate more business. Since then, the company has become a strong ambassador for the region, winning the Manufacturing Business Award at the Prescott-Russell CFDC’s Gala of Excellence in 2022.

In western Ontario, Violet’s of Strathroy, a women’s clothing store, received support through Community Futures Middlesex to officially launch their business in March 2022. The support they received helped them start off on the right foot and now they are a valued member of Strathroy’s community.

These are just two highlights in a long list of businesses across southern Ontario that are meeting their potential and contributing to growing local economies thanks to the support from their local CFDC.

To find your local Community Futures organization, or for more information on the services and support they offer, visit the Community Futures Ontario website.