| Sep 27, 2012


Economic development in a rural region is not a short-term venture.

The board and staff at the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) have been working day after day for nine years establishing their own credibility with the business community, and finding out what works and what doesn’t work in Frontenac County.

At their AGM two weeks ago, FCFDC Board Chair Paul Vickers outlined some of the work that has been done over the past 12 months.

The FCFDC loaned out $900,000 between July 2011 and July 2012, and 90% of the loans the agency metes out go to Frontenac County-based businesses.

With the help of FCFDC staff, those receiving loans have been able to use them as leverage to access more funding, a total of $4.5 million in the same period.

Among the businesses that have worked with the corporation are a number of the more innovative companies in the county, including: Beckwith Contracting in Sydenham, Seed to Sausage and Sharbot Lake Country Inn in Sharbot Lake, Goldline Mobility and Conversions, and Canadian Shield Forest Products.

The speaker at the CFDC meeting this year was Olivia Groenewegen of the Limestone Creamery, which held its grand opening last weekend. The creamery is now carrying a line of dairy products produced exclusively from the dairy cattle on the organic Groenewegen farm, located just yards away from their retail store on Sydenham Road.

Another new venture that is just getting underway in the village of Harrowsmith is something that CFDC Executive Director Anne Prichard has been trying to get underway for a number of years. She has been frustrated over the years because a number of institutions and businesses have approached her about locating in Frontenac County but they have been stymied by a shortage of office or retail space

Terry Grant, of T. Grant Custom Homes, has now broken ground on an 8,000 square foot commercial development on the east side of Road 38 just north of the village of Harrowsmith. The development will be comprised of two 4,000 square foot buildings with a breeze-way between the two units. Grant has an ambitious construction schedule. He hopes to have the buildings ready for leasehold improvements before winter.

Business owners wishing to learn more about leasing space may contact Kelly Hineman at 613-544-7000.

In addition to providing loans, information and workshops about business opportunities, the FCFDC also administers a granting program, the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) which has also been very active since it was revamped in the fall of 2011. The next deadline for applications for EODP funding is November 1.

For information on the EODP or other services offered by the Frontenac Community Development Corporation, call 613-372-1414 or go to frontenaccfdc.com 

 

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