The Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) is a Government of Canada initiative which promotes socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario. The EODP is managed by FedNor, the regional economic development organization responsible for the Community Futures Program in rural Ontario and provides resources to Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) which invest in projects within six key economic development priorities:
- Youth Interns – Retention & Attraction;
- Access to capital;
- Business Planning;
- Skills development;
- Local Initiatives; and
- Community Capacity.
The benefits of the EODP on rural Eastern Ontario communities are widespread. Projects are selected through a local decision-making process to complement the needs and priorities identified by the community, and on their potential to stimulate local economic development and create jobs. EODP encourages a competitive and diversified regional economy, and contributes to the successful development of business and job opportunities, and sustainable, self-reliant communities.
The EODP achieves its goals by investing in a wide range of grassroots community projects and supporting local companies. By delivering funding directly into the hands of not-for-profit organizations and companies, the Renfrew County CFDC has invested to date with leverage funding, over 5.4 million into the local economy since it’s inception in 2004. |