39 Businesses Helped to Cover Costs and Maintain 74 Jobs Impacted by COVID-19
With $1,671,799 in RRRF support funds
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan has helped to protect millions of jobs, provide emergency support to families and keep businesses afloat as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. A central part of this is the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which helps support those who may not be eligible for other programs.
With their local expertise and connections, southern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) have been trusted partners of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to deliver RRRF to businesses in their communities. Frontenac Business Services, a Community Futures Development Corporation, has provided $1,671,799 in RRRF support to help 39 businesses impacted by the pandemic to cover costs and maintain 74 jobs. Read the full summary report here.
Ludwig Ratzinger, Fine Chocolate by Ludwig was one of the Frontenac businesses that received support for a “Pandemic Pivot” from the CFDC and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. Fine Chocolate by Ludwig creates handmade artisanal chocolate bars in a variety of flavours. Prior to the pandemic, most sales were made in-person at shows, through a few fine food retailers and a small on-line presence. With the shows being cancelled, Ludwig needed to pivot the business and learn how to import the chocolate himself. An introduction from the CFDC to the Digital Main Street program enabled Ludwig to increase on-line sales 10 fold. More retailers began selling his chocolates and Ludwig collaborated with other local food businesses to create gift boxes. “The whole CFDC team is great and very helpful in all aspects of running a business” said Ludwig.
