About Us

Welcome to the network of Eastern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs). The purpose of this information is to help the public learn more about our organization and the regional initiatives we are involved with that are benefiting the economic prosperity of Eastern Ontario, as well as providing a communication avenue where Eastern Ontario CFDCs can share information with one another as well as to the general public.

The Network receives support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario through its Regional office in Peterborough, Ontario.

Background

The role of the EO CFDC Network Inc is to advocate on behalf of the membership in order to support regional and local economic development initiatives in Eastern Ontario. It was created to strategically administer and coordinate the opportunities that are available to the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations of Eastern Ontario.

• Its membership consists of only Community Futures Development Corporations
• It acts as a coordinating entity for the membership and its strategic partners
• It can apply for and administer funds
• It has project management capacity
• It is operational in structure
• It has an active and engaged formal governance process

As such the EO CFDC Network Inc engages in the following activities:

• Assists in coordination and communications amongst our CFDC Network and with FedDev Ontario to help assure consistent delivery of our programs
• Serves as a single source of contact for Eastern Ontario communities, interested groups and individuals to contact one (1) or up to all 15 of our members
• Better coordinates efforts with our key partners, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus and Ontario East Economic Development Commission
• Utilizes the recognition and success of the Network to ensure a strong rural voice for Eastern Ontario
• Oversees the operation of the Eastern Ontario (CFDC) Investment Pool and serves as its administrative body
• Provides the necessary administrative capacity to manage the Eastern Ontario CFDC Regional Budget Coordinates the meeting and information needs of the membership
• Supports and coordinates professional development activities for staff and volunteers
• Institutes a well-coordinated communication strategy for the 15 Eastern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation's that creates a cohesive and consistent message to both internal and external stakeholders.

The 15 Community Futures Development Corporations of Eastern Ontario are community-based, not-for-profit organizations that are each governed by a board of local volunteers. They are staffed by professionals who encourage entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic opportunities.

They are part of the 61 CFDCs across Ontario.Through FedDev Ontario, the Government of Canada provides funding, advice and support.

CFDC's Offer the Following Services

• Strategic community planning and socio-economic development
  • CFDCs work closely with communities to assess local challenges and to look at new ideas and opportunities that could strengthen their economies
  • In consideration of the unique circumstances of the local area, they plan and help implement development strategies that are designed to build brighter futures for the communities they serve
• Support for community-based projects
  • Through CFDCs, collaborate with a variety of partners from the public and private sectors to implement projects or special initiatives targeted to their communities in areas such as tourism, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic diversification and community adjustment
• Business services
  • CFDCs understand small businesses and the local marketplace. They provide important services to businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises, including:
    • Business counselling, documentation and referrals
    • Guidance with business plans
    • Export support
    • Entrepreneurial training
    • Information on relevant federal and provincial programs and services
• Access to capital
  • Through Government of Canada support, CFDCs administer local investment funds to help finance new or existing, small businesses and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization plans that help maintain or create jobs
  • All 15 CFDCs have an active Investment Fund to support local businesses and key development projects

Contact Information

To reach us, please contact us at the coordinates below or for a listing and direct connection to your local CFDC, please call 1 866 668-2332

Email: info@eocfdc.ca                                               Phone: 705-741-1980