News

News Release

For Immediate Release

January 15, 2021

Northumberland and Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) have recognized a need to provide business owners with a much needed video tutorial to assist them in pursuing current and future funding applications.

In response to new challenges that businesses are facing, Canada’s Covid-19 Economic Response Plan has helped protect millions of jobs, provide emergency support to families and sustain businesses as they deal with the impacts of the pandemic. Much of this support has come in the form of new programs, loans, funds and other business assistance tools.

With the amplified delivery of many of these programs, both CFDCs have seen an increase in requests for support and advice in completing the associated applications succinctly, concisely and in a compelling manner. Writing funding applications and pulling together the supporting documentation can at times seem daunting, time consuming and even confusing to applicants who in many cases are seeking funding support for the first time.

With this new online tutorial, business applicants will have access to an overview of how to fully complete their funding submissions in an easy-to-use video. The goal of the tutorial is to de-mystify the process and coach applicants on how to strengthen their proposal for consideration by the funder.

The Funding Application Writing Fundamentals Tutorial can be accessed below and is available in both English and French.

English Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYqm6Dcg-yY

French Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8vsS1z494s

Quotes

“With many programs under our management and others for which we are providing advisory services, we’ve seen acute increase in business clients requesting help in completing the various funding applications. We recognize, particularly for first time applicants, the process can seem bewildering particularly in these unprecedented times where there has been an array of new programs developed in response to a changing situation.  Northumberland CFDC is pleased to partner on the “how to” project as led by Renfrew County CFDC.  The development is supported by the FedDev Ontario- RE3 (Rebuild, Reopen, Revive) program though the materials and learning can be applied across any program in helping clients to crystallize and strengthen their proposal to be as competitive as possible.  We will be inviting multiple organizations to share the video link with their various clientele as a solid ongoing tool for business to use.” – Wendy Curtis, Executive Director, Northumberland CFDC

“We understand the challenges that small business face, with such an extensive array of funding opportunities it is only natural to feel overwhelmed, especially in a time of crisis.  It was as a result of such factors that birthed the “how to” project as a resource to alleviate added stress when submitting a funding application. We are confident this video can be used as a go to guide in preparing a more competitive proposal.” – Diane McKinnon, Executive Director, Renfrew County CFDC

Quick Facts

• Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) provides financing and strategy support for entrepreneurs. Delivering an array of entrepreneurial development and finance programs funded by FedDev Ontario, Northumberland CFDC also manages an investment portfolio that drives business start-up and expansion.
• Northumberland CFDC (for Eastern Ontario) and WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (for southwestern Ontario), in collaboration with regional partners, delivered the REBUILD REOPEN REVIVE initiative to support women-led small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural and urban communities across southern Ontario. Both organizations received $2 million to provide non-repayable contributions of up to $5,000 to help eligible women-led businesses. Over 700 women-led businesses were supported through this initiative.
• Renfrew Community Futures Development Corporation (RCCFDC) provides support to enterprise, community-based development and employment in Renfrew County. Funded by FedDev Ontario, RCCFDC provides a host of business services to assist entrepreneurs and may provide financing to small businesses who were unsuccessful in obtaining traditional financing.
• 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.

Contacts

Erika Seggie

Northumberland CFDC

1.866.670.1191

905.372.8315

erika.seggie@northumberlandcfdc.ca

Kelley Lemenchick

Renfrew County CFDC

613.431.3951

Kelley.lemenchick@rccfdc.org

Northumberland CFDC and WindsorEssex Economic Development are working collaboratively within our regional entrepreneurial ecosystems to advance women-led SMEs across Southern Ontario, effectively positioning for rapid and positive post-pandemic economic recovery.  It’s time to restart your business and the new RE3 initiative is here to support you.

Canadian women entrepreneurs are key to our economic success as a country, and they make invaluable contributions to our communities. However, women still face unique and systemic barriers to starting and growing a business, and they remain underrepresented in our economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women entrepreneurs. It has severely affected sectors such as retail, hospitality and food services—sectors where women entrepreneurs are most present.

For these reasons, RE3 is focused on supporting and strengthening the position of Women-led SMEs in our economic recovery, reformation and revitalization.

With the support of FedDev Ontario, RE3 provides non-repayable performance-based contributions of up to $5,000 to assist Southern Ontario-based Women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to REBUILD, REOPEN and REVIVE their businesses.

On a competitive basis, RE3 offers a one-time, performance-based, and non-repayable funding of up to $5,000 for:

• Acquisition of required/mandated Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Workspace reconfiguration to accommodate physical distancing
• Hardware/software upgrades to enhance online capacity, client servicing, and accessibility.

Does RE3 align with your plan for business resilience and renewal? Then we encourage you to apply now! Click on the links below for more information or to apply.

For more information: https://financingandstrategy.com/re3/

To apply: https://app.reviewr.com/womenledsmes/site/SO_Women_Led_SMEs_Program 

June 2, 2020

Following Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford’s call on the province’s businesses on March 21, 2020 to help make medical supplies, SRB Technologies (Canada) Inc. (SRBT) met with local senior officials at the Pembroke Regional Hospital and local retirement homes where it was determined that Face Shields were in great shortage and that there was also a great need for a Face Shield that would be reusable through cleaning or visor replacement.

On April 4, 2020 SRBT developed a business plan to redeploy some of its production capacity towards the mass production of Face Shields for Renfrew County and surrounding area to help fight COVID-19. The business plan was developed to produce a Face Shield that could be best manufactured with the equipment, expertise and staff already in place at SRBT.

With the financial help of the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade’s “Ontario Together” Fund, SRBT executed its business plan by acquiring a Medical Device Establishment Licence from Health Canada, purchasing tooling, the necessary materials and by implementing new production procedures.

SRBT has also instituted three shifts over 24 hours to provide the ability to produce 10,000 Face Shields a week for sale first in Renfrew County and surrounding area.

This week SRBT is making its first deliveries of its Face Shields to the Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH), Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB), Pearly Whites Mobile Dental Hygiene Services and to Orthodontist Dr. Benoit Hebert.

SRBT would like to thank Renfrew-Nippissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade, Diane McKinnon and Mike Thompson from The Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Algonquin College, Mayor Mike Lemay and the City of Pembroke, Health Canada, ETM Industries, Leilani Borne and The Pembroke Regional Hospital.

Detailed information on our Face Shield is available at http://www.srbt.com/face.shields.pdf

For more information please contact:

Stephane Levesque
President
SRB Technologies (Canada) Inc.
Tel: (613) 732-0055, Extension #111
Cel: (613) 639-1349
e-mail: face.shields@srbt.com

If you or someone you know is struggling through this unprecedented time, please be advised that in direct response to local needs, Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (RCCFDC) is currently offering a Special “Relief Loan”at 2.95% to qualifying existing and new small business clients. As part of the Relief loan, all payments will be deferred and interest forgiven to July 31, 2020.

This loan is to assist with working capital or other expenses you expect to have an economic impact on your business due to COVID -19

To apply for the Relief Loan, go to www.rccfdc.org/financing to request the loan application.

For any questions, please contact Mike Thompson, Business Development Officer, at mike.thompson@rccfdc.org

In direct response to our clients advising us of the impact on their businesses and the need for support, Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (RCCFDC) is responding at this unprecedented time with the following:

For the period of March 18, 2020 – July 31, 2020, monthly Loan Payments for all existing clients will be suspended until August 1, 2020 (the principal portion of the payment will be deferred, and interest costs forgiven until July 31, 2020). The Life Insurance component will be collected monthly. We will continue reassessing the economic impact of COVID-19 and may find it necessary to make further amendments as needed.

RCCFDC will also be offering a Special Loan (identified as “Relief Loan”) at 2.95% to both existing and new clients. The loan is to assist with working capital or other verified expenses you expect to have an economic impact on your business due to COVID -19.  The features of the Relief Loan are as follows:

Loan Amount and Term

• $20,000 – 2.95%; 5-year term
• $15,000 – 2.95%; 4-year term
• $10,000 – 2.95%; 3-year term
• $5,000 – 2.95%; 2-year term

Payment:

• Payments will be suspended until August 1, 2020 (Interest costs will be forgiven until August 1, 2020). The Life Insurance component will be collected monthly.

Security:

• Promissory Note (and supporting resolution if required)
• General Security Agreement
• Personal Guarantee
• Life Insurance

To apply for the Relief Loan, go to https://www.rccfdc.org/financing/ to request the loan application.

If additional funding is required, please contact Mike Thompson, Business Development Officer, mike.thompson@rccfdc.org as more information may be requested.

RCCFDC is closely monitoring this developing situation and is available to assist all Small and Mid-Size Enterprises in Renfrew County with financial support and counselling services.

Out of caution for the health of Renfrew County CFDC employees, clients and communities, we are implementing a series of measures intended to support business continuity for ourselves and clients while supporting the goals of social distancing in arresting the impact of COVID-19.

We remain committed to serving our clients during this challenging time. Effective March 17th, the following decisions have been implemented until further notice:

1. Our staff continues to be available for client servicing via telecommunication/electronic methods of phone, email and conferencing.

2. By exception, and solely business critical, we will be accessible by scheduled appointment.

Like all Canadians, we are closely monitoring official announcements and expect to respond as this fluid situation continues to evolve. The Government of Canada has launched a new web page (click here) to provide Canadian businesses with a one-stop-shop for the resources they need to make informed decisions while navigating the challenges of COVID-19 in an interconnected global economy.

Concurrently, we are also proactively working with our many partners and colleagues to collaborate on responses to the changing needs of our clients. Please watch our website and social media feeds for ongoing updates.

We thank you for your patience during this difficult time and encourage all to be, and stay, well.

Diane McKinnon, Executive Director

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation Announces the Winner of its Second Startup Competition

August 14, 2019 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

PEMBROKE, Ontario–After three intensive rounds of competitive down-selection, FanSaves won the second annual RC100 Startup competition, securing $100,000 in early-stage investment from Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).

FanSaves is a platform that helps sports teams and other organizations activate their fan base, increase engagement and compile valuable customer data and ROI. Their mobile app gives fans discounts and deals from sponsors of their favourite teams and organizations. Each redemption is tracked in a dashboard, unique to each team and sponsor, and gives them customer analytics and a way to track return on investment.

“We want to prove that you don’t have to live in Silicon Valley to be a successful tech company. We want to show the world that Renfrew County is THE place to do business and we want to prove that a rural county can help produce a world-class tech startup. The RC100 investment will make this possible”. Shannon Ferguson, Co-Founder & CEO FanSaves.

The competition, which began in February of this year with 28 entries, officially ended today at the SRB Technologies Inc. RC100 Startup Reception held at the Pembroke & Area Airport.

“We are excited to be backing FanSaves” said Ray Bonenberg, Chair of Renfrew County CFDC’s Board of Directors. “The innovative software is impressive but even more so, the people who are behind its commercialization. Congratulations to all.”

About FanSaves

FanSaves is disrupting the way teams (including sports teams, organizations, towns and BIAs, e-sports, events, festivals, universities and colleges, and influencers) sell sponsorship and advertising by giving businesses who sponsor these entities a way to track their return on investment, as well as valuable customer data. Their app is the first platform that connects fans to multiple teams and their sponsors all in one place; activating their fan bases and encouraging them to spend money at the businesses that support their favourite or local teams. Incentivizing people with discounts and deals on the FanSaves app, not only helps them save money but also promotes shopping local, enhances tourism in areas that are on FanSaves and acts as a conduit to help inform people (whether they are from the area or out-of-town) of places they can eat, shop, stay or get services at.

Find out more at www.fansaves.com

About RC100

RC100 is supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and modelled after the successful N100, Northumberland’s CFDC’s open invitational technology startup competition. Delivered by Renfrew County CFDC in collaboration with L-SPARK, Startup Canada and Invest Ottawa, and through sponsorship by BDC, Algonquin College, City of Pembroke, Renfrew County Economic Development Department, MathWorks, Budgeto, SRB Technologies Inc. and powered by Reviewr, RC100 will enter its third year with a call for applications in January, 2020. Visit us online at www.rc100.ca.

About FedDev Ontario

FedDev Ontario actively works to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. For more information, visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca.

Contacts

Renfrew County CFDC‘s Executive Director, Diane McKinnon at 613 431 3951 ext. 222 or diane.mckinnon@rccfdc.org

or

Renfrew County CFDC’s Loan Manager, Mike Thompson at 613 431 3951 ext. 223 or mike.thompson@rccfdc.org

Are you ready to take your start-up to the next level???
Now accepting applications for RC100 2019!

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation Announces the Winner of its First Startup Competition

August 24, 2018 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

PETAWAWA, Ontario–After three rounds of competitive down-selection, Riverwood Acoustics won the first annual RC100 Startup competition, securing $100,000 in early-stage investment from Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).

Riverwood Acoustics is a Renfrew County-based designer and manufacturer of one-of-a-kind premium home bluetooth speakers made from reclaimed riverwood.  The company focuses on sound excellence, build quality and aesthetics. Their branding is built around the connection to local culture and the unique use and conscientious sourcing of reclaimed wood.  Historic, Artful, Unrivaled. Once in full production, the company will create up to 12 full-time positions and influence over 30 positions indirectly through contract manufacturers in Renfrew County.

“We are thrilled to win RC100 and to have the support of Renfrew County CFDC and the business community in establishing home audio wireless products locally,” said Riverwood Acoustics founder Ben Seaman. “This investment in innovation—along with guidance in optimizing our productivity and performance—will position Riverwood Acoustics for sustained growth as we continue to deliver and deploy our units with customers across North America and around the world.”

“Our objective is to become a world leader in premium home wireless speakers made from reclaimed riverwood,” explains Seaman. “A truly unique product that will compete with style and sound quality that allows us to provide beautiful, high-fidelity home wireless speakers that are made from 100%  reclaimed riverwood to our customers.”

Based on their exceptional performance in the RC100 Top 4, Renfrew County CFDC is looking at utilizing a broader suite of programs to develop finding opportunities for the other finalists.

The competition, which launched in February of this year with 35 entries, officially ended today at the SRB Technologies Inc. RC100 Startup Reception, held at the Garrison Petawawa Golf Club.

“We are excited to be backing Riverwood Acoustics,” said Paul Curtis, Chair of Renfrew County CFDC’s Board of Directors. “The technology is impressive but even more so, the people who are behind its commercialization. Congratulations to all.”

About Riverwood Acoustics

Riverwood Acoustics a Renfrew County-based company, founded by Ben Seaman and Scott Rathwell, which offers premium, high-fidelity speakers that are made of 100% reclaimed riverwood that can be showcased in your home or business.  Features include:  Bluetooth AptX – CD quality wireless transfer; Reclaimed Wood – Solid birch premium enclosure; Power Amp – 40 W rms low distortion simplifier; Bass Extension – Dual passive bass radiators; High Fidelity – 3” and full range acoustical perfection; and RCA I/P – Left/right RCA inputs for AUX connections. The wood used in the speakers is known as “old growth” timber, which grew hundreds of years ago under ideal conditions thanks to lower light, cooler temperatures, and optimal soil conditions. This resulted in a stronger, tighter and denser grain wood compared to current cuts of wood. These logs are retrieved from the depths of the Ottawa River by eco-divers, kiln-dried and handcrafted into a unique, rare speaker that boasts unparalleled sound quality.  Find out more at www.riverwoodacoustics.com.

About RC100

The competition is modelled after the successful N100, Northumberland CFDC’s annual open invitational $100,000 technology startup competition. RC100 is delivered by Renfrew County CFDC, which is supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in collaboration with N100, the Impact Centre at the University of Toronto and Invest Ottawa. It is supported by BDC, Algonquin College, City of Pembroke, Renfrew County Economic Development Department, Edwards Professional Corporation, MathWorks, BUDGETO, SRB Technologies Inc. and powered by Reviewr. RC100 will enter its second year with a call for applications in January 2019. Visit us online at www.rc100.ca.

Contacts

Renfrew County CFDC‘s Executive Director, Diane McKinnon at 613 431 3951 ext. 222 or diane.mckinnon@rccfdc.org

or

Renfrew County CFDC’s Loan Manager, Mike Thompson at 613 431 3951 ext. 223 or mike.thompson@rccfdc.org