Community Futures Grenville Announces Successful Economic Development Projects

Prescott – Community Futures Grenville proudly announces the successful completion of its Community Futures Grenville Initiative for 2023-24, supporting several impactful projects aimed at fostering economic development and growth in the region.

The Community Futures Grenville Initiative offers 50% cost-share support, to a maximum of $3,000, for projects that support community economic development. Community Futures Grenville is a federally funded, not-for-profit corporation, that has been providing small business loans, business advisory services and community economic development throughout Grenville County since 1990. The organization operates with financial support from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

These initiatives strengthen the local economy and contribute significantly to community engagement and empowerment.

Through the program, Community Futures Grenville has provided vital support to diverse projects across various sectors. The initiatives supported last year are:

1. Town of Prescott: The Resident/Visitor Analytics Data Project, aimed at leveraging comprehensive consumer insights to enhance decision-making processes and better serve residents and visitors alike.
2. South Grenville Food Bank: Tools for Launch Program, facilitating employee retention by empowering individuals in new employment roles.
3. Kemptville Campus: Eco Farm Day 2024, a regional conference promoting farm business economic viability, sustainable agriculture practices and fostering connections within the local farming community.
4. Leeds Grenville Small Business: International Women’s Day 2024, empowering women in business and championing inclusivity and equity within the community.
5. Township of Augusta: The Maker’s Map project, showcases local artisans, growers, and makers through an interactive digital platform.

These projects highlight the diverse range of initiatives supported by Community FuturesGrenville, each contributing to the economic vibrancy and community well-being of the region. By investing in these endeavours, Community Futures Grenville continues to play an important role in driving sustainable growth and prosperity.

“Community Futures Grenville’s support was instrumental in allowing us to offer Eco Farm Day in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and to move it to a new home at
Kemptville Campus,” said Leela Ramachandran, Program Manager at Kemptville Campus. “We brought together nearly 200 people working in the organic farming and food sector, and we are
already planning to host next year’s Eco Farm Day at Kemptville Campus.”

“The Community Futures Grenville Initiative has enabled Prescott's Economic Development & Tourism Department to tap into actionable data, to gain and share invaluable consumer market insights with our business and tourism community,” said Dana Valentyne, Economic Development Officer with the Town of Prescott. “Community Futures Grenville’s funding programs and supports truly empower businesses and communities throughout the region.”

“We are thrilled to see the positive impact of the Community Futures Grenville Initiative reflected in these projects,” said Cathy Sheppard, Chair of Community Futures Grenville. “The success of
these initiatives underscores the importance of supporting local entrepreneurship and community development. We remain committed to fostering a thriving economic landscape that benefits all residents of Grenville County.”

“Congratulations to Community Futures Grenville and to the projects supported through the CF Grenville Initiative that are fostering economic growth in the region. Our government is happy to
support Community Futures Development Corporations, like Community Futures Grenville, as they are instrumental in driving economic progress across rural southern Ontario, fostering local
jobs and bolstering rural businesses” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Community Futures Grenville will continue to offer this program in 2024-25. Applications are reviewed monthly and are accepted on a continuous basis until funds are fully allocated for the year. If you have a project that might benefit from this program, you are invited to learn more at https://www.cfgrenville.ca/services-programs/economic-development.

Related links:

https://www.cfgrenville.ca
https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca