Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation is now
Frontenac Business Services
HARROWSMITH, ON: April 22, 2021 — A Frontenac County non-profit organization that provides business advice and loan services to help diversify and strengthen the local economy has rebranded with a new name and website. Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is now Frontenac Business Services at frontenacbusiness.ca
“For nearly two decades, our organization has played an important role in helping launch and grow businesses across the county,” says Anne Prichard, executive director of Frontenac Business Services. “We’re recognized as a nimble, non-traditional funding source, but that’s only part of our unique mission and mandate. Our new name better reflects our commitment to providing both business advice and loan services that nurture and support the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Established in 2003 to advance community economic development and small business growth across North, Central and South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands, Frontenac Business Services is a one-stop shop for business financing and free advice, counselling and support. “One of our greatest strengths,” explains Prichard, “is connecting new and existing business owners to the right resources and people.”
In 2020/21 alone, the non-profit organization supported 23 local businesses, including eight new start-ups, providing more than $1.55 million in new loans. 53 jobs were created and a further 53 jobs were maintained as a result of these
Frontenac Business Services is governed by a volunteer board and funded by the federal government’s Community Futures program, administered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. As one of 37 southern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations, Frontenac Business Services will continue to advance the CFDC mandate to help rural communities expand their economies. The organization embarked on the rebranding exercise last year as part of its strategic plan to better promote awareness, understanding and support for services and programs provided to individuals, businesses and community groups.
“Our founding name said very little about the important work we do,” says Betty Hunter, chair of Frontenac Business Services’ 10-member board of directors. “Our best work happens when we provide coaching and advisory services to help businesses craft a winning business model and achieve long-term success and residency in the county. Loans are simply one tool to help achieve those goals.”
In addition to the renaming, Frontenac Business Services launched a new website that features improved navigation across different platforms; frequently asked questions; business client success stories; and opportunities for stakeholders to customize their communication preferences.
