Parliamentary Secretary May visits Peterborough and Northumberland County organizations and businesses to discuss economic development for the regions

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

Government of Canada highlights recent CFDC partnerships in the region, while showcasing women-led and clean tech businesses

November 15, 2023 - Peterborough, Ontario                                      

Rural businesses and entrepreneurs are a key part of Canada’s economic recovery, and the Government of Canada is ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed now and into the future. Rural businesses and community organizations are making a big impact on Canada's economy with help from the Community Futures Program, managed by southern Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs).

Today, Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), toured Peterborough and Northumberland County to meet with local businesses and organizations to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face as they work to grow, create jobs, and succeed for years to come.

In the morning, PS May stopped by Northumberland CFDC’s partner incubator Venture13, where he participated in a roundtable discussion with local Northumberland businesses, organizations and community leaders. Together, they discussed the important contributions that rural entrepreneurs provide to growing the local economy and the ways in which the Government of Canada can support them as they reach their potential. PS May then met with members of the Peterborough and Kawartha Chamber of Commerce to talk about the economic priorities of the region.

Later that day, PS May attended the launch of ARC Motor Company (ARC), a women-led clean-tech start-up that converts fuel-powered classic cars into high-performing electric vehicles, where he highlighted the important work that CFDCs play in supporting rural business owners meet challenges head on and continue to thrive. ARC was able to gain its start through the support from CF Peterborough, supported by FedDev Ontario through the Community Futures Program, and through the FedDev Ontario funded Northumberland CFDC’s thriveFORWARD initiative.

Peterborough and Northumberland County CFDCs, businesses and organizations are paving the way forward to a bright, eco-friendly, and strong economic future. 

Quotes

“Thank you to the organizations, businesses and community leaders, including our local Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), which are working every day to contribute to the local economy. ARC Motor Company and businesses like it are growing and creating jobs by reaching their potential and turning possibilities into realities – and the Government of Canada is pleased to support them.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Small towns are responsible for some very big ideas thanks to the Community Futures Program and local Community Futures Development Corporations. Peterborough and Northumberland regions are home to numerous transformative organization and businesses, like ARC Motor Company, that are turning their ideas into realities to boost our rural economy and create jobs.”
- Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Quick facts

  • Peterborough, also known as the “Electric City,” is located in eastern Ontario and is home to numerous businesses and organizations, predominantly in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, clean tech and tourism sectors. 

  • Located northeast of Toronto, Northumberland County has a highly-skilled workforce with top sectors including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, plastics, small business and tourism.

  • For the past 38 years, the Community Futures Program has been a community-driven, economic development initiative designed to assist communities in Canada's rural areas to develop and implement strategies for dealing with a changing economic environment.

  • In February 2023, FedDev Ontario announced a nearly $40-million investment over the next three years for southern Ontario’s trusted network of Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) to allow the 36 CFDCs and three CFDC associations in southern Ontario to continue on their path of growth.

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $40 million in more than 55 projects in the Peterborough region, estimated to create over 600 jobs and maintain over 900 jobs. 

Associated links

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@feddevontario.gc.ca

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