Jobs Creation the focus of Eastern Ontario Development Plan

Jeff Green | Nov 17, 2011

Anne Prichard, General Manager of the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC), criss-crossed the county last week to conduct information sessions about the newly announced Eastern Ontario Development Plan (EODP)

At each stop she presented some of the highlights of the program, which has been set up on a multi-year basis.

“In the past the program has been an annual [program], so each year all the projects had to be completed by the end of the fiscal year. While that is still the case, because funding has been guaranteed for three years this time, businesses and not-for-profits can plan projects ahead of time, and prepare their applications accordingly,” Prichard said.

The program is split into two categories, business development and community innovation, and a number of priorities are included in each category. Among the business development priorities are: skills development, youth attractions, innovation and information and communications technology.

In addition to 50/50 cost sharing grants for businesses, 12-month internships, also to be funded on a 50/50 basis for businesses and a 100% basis for not-for-profits, are also available.

“This time around there is another change in the program. There are youth internships for those under 30 as before, but there are also internships for employees of any age, up to a $30,000 subsidy, so they can be used for highly skilled employees,” said Anne Prichard.

But no matter what the project is, priority will be given to those initiatives that will bring about one particular outcome - job creation.

“Did I mention that we want to see jobs, jobs, and more jobs?” Prichard said on a couple of occasions during the one-hour sessions.

Although the program is funded until 2014, the first round of funding must be allocated and spent by the end of February, 2012, and there were two early deadlines in place for those who have been waiting for the program to be announced and were ready to get their applications in quickly. The first deadline has already passed. It was Monday, November 14, and a second deadline is fast approaching. It is Monday November 28 at 5 pm.

These early grants will be awarded in early December.

Anyone interested in the EODP or the services of the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation is invited to call 613-279-1414 or go to Frontenaccfdc.ca. EODP information and applications are available as a download at that site.