Minister Fraser announces $12.6 million to help rural businesses across Atlantic Canada thrive
News release
Funding for Community Business Development Corporations helps entrepreneurs get the financing and know-how they need to expand, hire, and grow
November 27, 2025 · Moncton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
In rural Atlantic Canada, small businesses play a vital role in local economies, especially during the holidays. They provide jobs, keep money close to home, and support the services that families rely on. Many of these businesses operate in places where there are no major employers or banks and few essential services. When one shuts down, the effects ripple through the entire community.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced continued investments of $12.6 million in Atlantic Canada’s network of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs). This significant federal support gives rural entrepreneurs the financial boost and hands-on guidance they need to turn opportunity into real growth.
Across Atlantic Canada, CBDCs help entrepreneurs turn ideas into successful businesses through financing, training and on-the-ground support. In Nova Scotia, Avon Valley Floral rebuilt its greenhouse operations after significant ice storm damage and has since doubled its revenue with targeted CBDC financing. In New Brunswick, Marc Subs renovated its locations and expanded services across Northwestern New Brunswick with CBDC assistance. In Prince Edward Island, Ellsworth Enterprises strengthened its production capacity and regional reach as a lobster trap manufacturer with support from CBDC programs. In Newfoundland and Labrador, CakeyHand Dessert Factory grew from a farmers market table into a multi-location bakery with CBDC-backed investments that supported its expansion.
Today’s investment will allow the region’s CBDCs to continue providing the capital, expertise and local guidance entrepreneurs rely on to grow their businesses and strengthen rural economies. It is an investment in the people, businesses and communities that make rural Atlantic Canada strong.
Quotes
“Many rural entrepreneurs cannot get the financing or support they need from a bank, especially as the holiday season puts extra pressure on small businesses. This $12.6 million in federal support helps local business owners get the loans and hands-on help they rely on to stay open and hire workers. It supports fishers, farmers, trade, and local restaurants and shops that keep communities thriving across Atlantic Canada.’’
- The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“This year marks 30 years of a strong and impactful collaboration between the Atlantic Association of CBDCs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Their continued support has been instrumental in helping us foster entrepreneurship, strengthen local economies, and create opportunities in communities across Atlantic Canada. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to building on this legacy in the years ahead.”
- Wayne Power, President, Atlantic Association of CBDCs
Quick facts
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The $12.6 million announcement today supports Atlantic Canada’s network of CBDCs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
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For the past 40 years, the Government of Canada’s Community Futures Program has supported economic development in rural areas across the country through a network of 256 Community Futures Organizations (CFOs), known as Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) in Atlantic Canada.
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Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are non-profit, community-based organizations that support local economic development and small business growth. Atlantic Canada’s Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) network includes 41 CBDCs, three provincial associations, and the Atlantic Association of CBDCs.
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Since 1995, the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), has invested over $395 million into Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) via the Community Futures (CFP) program, and an additional $11.9 million from its Business Development Program to support Community Futures Program-related initiatives, helping create over 34,000 jobs, maintain over 65,000 jobs, and support more than 41,000 entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada.
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Between 1995 and November 2025, Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) disbursed over 43,000 loans for a value of $1.8 billion.
Associated links
Contacts
Lola Dandybaeva
Manager of Media Relations
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
343-549-0347
lola.dandybaeva@justice.gc.ca
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Helen Michel
Program Assistant
Marketing and Communications
Atlantic Association of CBDCs
Helen.michel@cbdc.ca