Community Futures Peterborough Partners with Peterborough County to Launch NEXT Program to Empower Displaced Workers Through Entrepreneurship
Peterborough, ON – October 29, 2025– Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) has partnered with Peterborough County to launch NEXT: New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training, an innovative program designed to help displaced workers turn career disruption into opportunity through entrepreneurship.
Developed in response to recent layoff and plant closure announcements impacting hundreds of workers in the region, the NEXT program provides displaced employees with hands-on business training, mentorship, and individualized support to explore self-employment as a viable and empowering career path.
“When people lose their jobs, they often lose more than income; they lose a sense of stability and purpose,” says Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “NEXT transforms that challenge into a new beginning. By equipping displaced workers with entrepreneurial skills and support, we’re helping them gain confidence to explore entrepreneurship as a career option and continue our work in creating jobs in our community.”
NEXT offers a structured pathway to help individuals reimagine their future while strengthening local economic resilience. Participants will gain the tools and confidence to start new businesses, create jobs, and contribute to a more diverse and robust local economy.
“Across southern Ontario, communities are finding new ways to turn challenges into opportunities, and the NEXT program is a great example. Community Futures Peterborough and its partners are giving people the tools to rebuild their futures and strengthen their local economy. Our government is proud to support initiatives that help Canadians adapt, innovate, and continue to build Canada’s prosperity from the ground up,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“This partnership between Community Futures Peterborough and Peterborough County is a fantastic example of local leadership in action. When major employers make difficult decisions, our government is committed to ensuring workers have a strong bridge to their next opportunity,” says Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament, Peterborough – Kawartha. “The NEXT program provides exactly that—empowering our skilled workforce to leverage their experience and build new, resilient local businesses right here in Peterborough and the County. Investing in local entrepreneurship strengthens our entire economic foundation.”
Through interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, and access to CFP’s local business network, participants will explore business ideas, develop business plans, and gain practical skills in marketing, finance, and operations. The program also connects participants with funding opportunities and community resources to help bring their ventures to life. Peterborough County has provided funding for this program to support CFP in the design, development, and delivery of the program.
“In a time of global uncertainty around trade and tariffs, it’s more important than ever to invest in local solutions that build economic resilience. Peterborough County is excited to financially support the NEXT program—an initiative that empowers displaced workers to explore entrepreneurship and create new opportunities right here at home. We are thankful for the trusted partnership of Community Futures Peterborough and have full confidence in their leadership and delivery of this program that will strengthen our workforce and communities,” says Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark. “We look forward to hearing about the fantastic opportunities ahead for NEXT program participants.”
The NEXT program is available for employers and employees in Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough. For employers with training dollars available to support displaced workers, the NEXT program returns those funds, dollar for dollar, back to the displaced worker upon program completion. Community Futures Peterborough will also provide matching grant dollars with up to $1,000 per graduate to use those funds to start or grow their business.
“We recognize our role in empowering displaced workers with the right training to view entrepreneurship as a viable career option,” says Wayne Harding, Chair of Community Futures Peterborough. “Our board is committed to investing in this program to outline new opportunities that exist right here in our region and demonstrate that entrepreneurship can be a path forward for anyone willing to explore what’s next.”
“The City of Peterborough is proud to be a core financial supporter of Community Futures Peterborough and their Business Advisory Centre, which will deliver the NEXT program,” says City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal. “I want to thank Community Futures Peterborough for their continued support of entrepreneurs in our region, and the County of Peterborough for stepping up with an extra financial contribution for this program.”
Interested employers are working directly with Community Futures Peterborough to book dates to bring the NEXT program to workers. To learn more about the NEXT program, please visit the Community Futures Peterborough website at: https://communityfuturespeterborough.ca/programs/next-program/
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in loan dollars supporting 1,300+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,600 jobs in the City and the County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough began delivery of the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, funded by the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County. The Business Advisory Centre provides a full suite of wrap-around business advisory services from launch to exit and currently advises hundreds of local businesses annually.
Media Contact:
Devon Girard, Executive Director
devon@cfpeterborough.ca
Cell: 705-957-3641
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
