Karen Eden
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin continues to support entrepreneurs in the Cariboo Chilcotin from 70 Mile to Bella Coola including the Williams Lake and 100 Mile areas.
During the past three years the local office has approved and dispersed 68 loans with a total value of $2,040,000.
These loans and business services have helped to create/maintain 229 jobs.
During this time 27 businesses were started with the direct support of Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin.
The local office also supports Community Economic Development. During the last three years it has supported 19 projects and contributed $36,500.
The Community Futures program is a community-based economic renewal initiative, established by the federal government in 1985.
Community Futures offices are non-profit, federally supported organizations that help support rural community economic development by providing new or existing businesses with tools and resources needed to succeed.
Community Futures invested in excess of $208 million in the rural economy in 2012-2013
The Community Futures program continues to support entrepreneurs in rural Canada in achieving their dreams. The Annual Review 2013 published by Community Futures Network of Canada revealed that Community Futures programs across Canada assisted 4,306 small and medium sized enterprises last year.
More than $3.9 billion has been invested in the rural Canadian economy since the Community Futures program was created 28 years ago.
The Annual Review 2013 is available on our website at www.communityfutures.ca/annual-report. It provides a snapshot of businesses benefiting from their relationship with Community Futures. Community Futures invests in rural community entrepreneurs whether it is a returning client looking for input on their business plan; a loan to finance expansion plans; or a new client looking for start-up dollars and counselling to get their business off the ground.
Community Futures has been a stable and consistent source of funding since its inception and continues to be steadfast in its support of rural communities.
According to the Annual Review 2013, Community Futures offices in B.C. approved 652 loans valued at more than $32 million, helping to create or maintain 2,839 jobs in B.C.’s rural communities.
Supporting rural communities by providing services that strengthen and diversify the local economies, Community Futures services include business financing, development, training and counselling as well as Community Economic Development Initiatives.
Karen Eden is general manager of the Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin program and can be reached at 250-392-3626 Ext. 109 or by e-mail at karen@cfdccariboo.com.