Eastern Ontario is fortunate to have not-for-profit organizations that are dedicated to helping small, rural businesses grow through financial support, guidance and strategic planning. Assistance can be found through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) for funding support for job creation and investment, as well as through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to support skilled trades advancement, training, apprenticeships and provincial employment services.
In addition, the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is part of a national group of 60 Ontario and 267 Canadian CFDCs, supported by both the provincial and federal governments, to build strong, rural communities. This organization offers counsel for community-based projects, business services and access to business loans up to $150,000. Under the umbrella of the CFDC is the Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO), a regional association with professional members focused on small business development and resilience in the communities of SDG Counties. Visit the CFEO’s website for more information at www.cfeasternontario.ca. From there, business owners can enter their postal code to find a close by location, such as ACC Futures with its offices in Cornwall.
As well, for the agri-food industry, the Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network (EOAN) is another not-for-profit association of professional members engaged in growing & developing local agriculture initiatives in SDG Counties, Prescott-Russell and Akwesasne. The goal of the EOAN is to connect agri-food producers with consumers, delivering resources, training and support for this sector’s development, focused on a thriving agri-food industry’s success.
By expanding its membership network, the EOAN provides specialty farmers with marketing opportunities and regional events to promote their products. With leadership by members directly involved in the agri-food industry, the EOAN helps to access funding opportunities, while endorsing environmental stewardship and ethical farming practices. Entrepreneurs looking for synergic assistance can visit the EOAN website at www.savoureaston.ca.