Community Futures Grenville Launches EcoFutures Loan Fund to Support Local Businesses in Reducing Emissions

North Grenville – Today, at the inaugural Sustainable Business Summit, co-hosted with the North Grenville Mayor’s Taskforce for Clean Technology, Community Futures Grenville announced the launch of the EcoFutures Loan Fund, a new initiative to help local businesses implement emissions-reduction projects and contribute to Canada’s climate goals.

Small businesses face climate-related challenges, but they can also drive environmental change. Taken together, small businesses generate about 40 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Many are taking steps to reduce their emissions, and the return on these investments is significant. However, financing these projects remains a challenge. The EcoFutures Loan Fund bridges this gap by providing businesses with capital to invest in sustainability.

Supporting Local Businesses and GreenTech Innovation

The EcoFutures Loan Fund is open to new or existing businesses in sustainable technology sectors or those adopting clean technologies in the CF Grenville service area. The program provides loans of up to
$300,000 with flexible terms and competitive interest rates. Eligible projects include:

• Installation of zero-emission energy infrastructure;
• EV charging stations and electric fleet purchases;
• Equipment and process upgrades to reduce emissions;
• Matching funds for other emissions-reduction programs;
• Tree planting or other nature-based climate change mitigation solutions.

Strengthening Our Regional Economy

By supporting green initiatives, the EcoFutures Loan Fund aligns with regional economic development goals, helping attract and retain sustainable technology businesses while fostering a resilient local economy.

A Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Marking the 35th anniversary of Community Futures Grenville, this program builds on decades of investment in jobs, businesses, and innovation. “The Community Futures Program supports local entrepreneurs in addressing key challenges,” said Mitch Bloom, Chair of Community Futures Grenville. “The EcoFutures Loan Fund exemplifies this by empowering businesses to take climate action while driving economic growth.”

“Small businesses are at the heart of Canada’s clean economy transformation,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Through FedDev Ontario, we are proud to support Community Futures Grenville and forward-thinking programs like the EcoFutures Loan Fund. These initiatives help local businesses lead on climate action while driving innovation, creating good jobs, and building a stronger and more competitive regional economy for the long term.”

Since 1990, Community Futures Grenville has supported more than 700 small businesses with flexible financing, investing nearly $40 million that has supported over 3500 jobs. A not-for-profit organization, CF Grenville is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

For more information about eligibility and application details, visit www.cfgrenville.ca.