February 02, 2023 – PETERBOROUGH, ON

Community Futures Peterborough’s Board of Directors is thrilled to announce Devon Girard as their new Executive Director. With more than two decades of experience in communications, government, not-for-profit, and media, Devon brings with her deep passion to support entrepreneurs and advance economic growth in her hometown of Peterborough.

“Devon’s proven ability to unite stakeholders and lead new initiatives will no doubt serve our communities for years to come,” says Charlina Westbye, Board Chair of Community Futures Peterborough. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Devon to the CFP team.”

Prior to joining CFP, Devon led the Women’s Entrepreneurship Strategy at Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation, where she founded StrikeUP Canada, Canada’s largest digital conference for women entrepreneurs. She previously served as Director of Marketing and Communications at a local firm in Peterborough and spent close to a decade in various senior roles in the British Columbia government where she led large-scale projects for the 2010 Olympics, as well as serving as a political advisor to the Premier and Minister of Economic Development. Devon was also a Board Director of CFP and held positions of Governance Chair from 2017-2020 and Vice Chair in 2020 until she left the Board to work for nearby Northumberland CFDC.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the team at CFP and work with our incredible partners to shape our entrepreneurial landscape and local economy,” says Devon. “I am grateful for the support of our Board of Directors as we embark on this exciting chapter for the organization.”

Devon assumes the position of Gail Moorhouse, who recently retired from the organization to pursue a career in governance and board training.

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 $38 million in 1,000 small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,000 jobs in the City and the County. The Community Futures Program is funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Media Contact:
Devon Girard, Executive Director
devon@cfpeterborough.ca
Mobile: 705-957-3641

Charlina Westbye, Board Chair
charlina@nexicom.net
Mobile: 705-917-1858

June 24, 2022 – PETERBOROUGH, ON
The resiliency of Peterborough’s entrepreneurial community continues to shine and was a focus at this year’s Community Futures Peterborough’s Annual General Meeting, held today in-person.

“Hopefully the challenges with COVID-19 are behind us. Area entrepreneurs have demonstrated how versatile they can be and I am optimistic we will continue to see businesses rebound and grow. Our clients and partners are very committed to this community.” says Grant Seabrooke the Chair of the Community Futures Peterborough Board of Directors.

Community Futures Peterborough is celebrating 37 years and since its inception in 1985, has invested close to $38 million in small businesses with a goal of building sustainable employment in our region. Our actual impact is more than 4,000 jobs and $37,860,357 dispersed through our loan portfolio reaching more than 1,000 businesses. That does not include hundreds of businesses that received special funds such as RRRF, Emergency funds, non-repayable contributions (grants) or business services.

“However, money does not solve all problems, so we adapted our programs to match the needs of our clients”, said Gail Moorhouse, the Executive Director at CFP. “This year we built on the success of the Advance Business Advisory Services of last year and created a pilot program called Business Scale Up to help some very focused businesses grow or expand to the next level.” Some results of the program are At the Lake Distributing has expanded and helped an open house at their new location in April, Dan Joyce Clothing opened a new women’s clothing store in Apsley, in May, and Renew Medi Spa expanded to a new location in the past 6 months. “The program was extremely successful and is on the agenda for further development in the coming year.”

The AGM also recognized and thanked outgoing Chair Grant Seabrooke for his leadership with the Board of Directors for the previous two years. Grant will continue to serve on the board. Charlina Westbye, the daughter of the late Judy Heffernan, was sworn in as incoming Chair. Charlina says she is looking forward to the year ahead. “As chair of the board, I’m looking forward to being able to visit the businesses CFP has supported before and during the pandemic. I am excited to hear their stories and learn about their resiliency. I’m equally excited to implement the plans and programs CFP has developed to best support our business community post-pandemic,” says Charlina Westbye.

More information about the Community Futures Peterborough programs can be found on the CFP website at communityfuturespeterborough.ca

The Community Futures Program is funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario),

Community Futures Peterborough’s mission is to support small businesses with flexible financing and strategic advisory services that encourage sustainable employment and accelerate business growth. .

Media Contact:
Gail Moorhouse

June 24, 2021 – PETERBOROUGH, ON
The resiliency of Peterborough’s entrepreneurial community continues to shine and was a focus at this year’s Community Futures AGM, held virtually this morning.

“It is hard to believe that one year later, we are still battling many challenges with COVID-19, and we are making progress. It is incredible to see how optimistic Peterborough entrepreneurs are and their commitment to their community. I believe the rebound has begun.”” says Grant Seabrooke the Chair of the Community Futures Peterborough Board of Directors.

Over the past year, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) was quick to respond and immediately deferred all payments for their clients. They too had to pivot and adapt to a changing environment. With the introduction of the Federal Government’s Rural Relief and Recovery Funding (RRRF) more than 3.5 million dollars was delivered to local business, and as the available funding increased, CFP was able to top up initial funding requests. Seventy three business received funding through the RRRF loan funding.

“Recognizing that money does not solve all problems, we adapted our programs to match the needs of our clients”, said Gail Moorhouse, the Executive Director at CFP. We created a new program through the RRRF Business Services funding. Keeping it local, Advance Advisory Services matched business with professionals in our region to deliver expert advice. “One CFP client was considering close their doors, the engagement with an expert helped develop a strategic customer attraction plan and within 2 months they had their best month ever. For the vendor they had a new revenue stream and hired one employee. The program was extremely successful, helping 69 clients and vendors and $275,000 stayed in our local economy.”

“Three months ago, CFP gave us a loan and now our business has been growing over 100% each monthly, says Alex Chak, owner of Keto Pi Factory. We now have 3 new employees. I feel CFP has given me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams.” Wanting to give back, Alex has donated over $10,000 in food to community and front line workers.
The AGM also recognized outgoing board members who have completed multiple terms. Bill Parrington and David Konrad. Sandra Taylor is taking a one year leave and returning next September. The chair, Grant Seabrooke welcomed Rod Wallace to the board, as Rod brings a wealth of experience from working with other CFDC in loan management roles. Charlina Westbye, the daughter of the late Judy Heffernan will assume the position of Vice Chair. “I look forward to working closely with our team, community, government partners and our clients to find innovative solutions as we enter a year of recovery” says Seabrooke.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, offered loans of up to $60,000 with no interest and no principal payments until December 31st, 2022. If the loan is paid by that date, then up to $20,000 of the loan is forgivable. More information about the RRRF and other ways CFP is helping to support business can be found on the CFP website at communityfuturespeterborough.ca

With support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough’s mission is to generate and assist in creating and maintaining sustainable employment opportunities in the City and County of Peterborough by supporting small businesses through flexible financing and business services. CFP has invested $30 million in 1000 small businesses since 1985, leading to the creation or maintenance of more than 4000 jobs in the City and County.

Media Contact:
Gail Moorhouse
Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough
Cell: 705-917-4245

December 3, 2020 – PETERBOROUGH, ON

On behalf of Grant Seabrooke, Board Chair, the entire Board of Directors, and staff, we are delighted to announce the three newest board members to join the organization: Mallory Graham, Raymond Yip Choy, and Cyndy Palleske.

Mallory Graham
Mallory Graham is an anishnaabe-kwe, founder and owner of Tribal Trade Co, an online retail store with a brick and mortar location in Curve Lake, offering contemporary indigenous apparel, giftware, and cultural education products. Mallory leads a team of content creators to develop online educational resources that are aimed to share, celebrate, and connect people with indigenous cultural teachings. As a digital marketing strategist, Mallory specializes in social media content campaigns, and lead generation strategies for indigenous-owned organizations. Mallory holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, majoring in Marketing and Brand Communication, and sits on Curve Lake First Nation’s Economic Development, and Gaming Revenue Fund committees.

Raymond Yip Choy
Raymond currently teaches in the School of Business and Information Technology at Fleming College where he is the Coordinator for the International Business Management and Global Business Management postgraduate programs and is the lead advisor for the College’s Enactus team. He also lectures in the School of Business at Trent University where he has led the university’s Jeux de Commerce competition team. Prior to teaching, Raymond worked in a number of marketing roles, managing consumer brands such as Maxwell House, Black & Decker, Werther’s Original and Avery Office Products as well as in the education sector. Raymond grew up in Trinidad, holds a BSc in Geology from Acadia University and a Master’s of Business Administration from McGill University and was a Scout leader for fifteen years.

Cyndy Palleske
Cyndy is a manufacturing operations executive and government relations advocate with 3 decades of industry experience in pharmaceutical, automotive injection molding, non-ferrous forging, and the electronics aerospace & defence sectors. During her years working in Peterborough, Ontario, she collaborated with Fleming College to design and implement Manufacturing Operations and Lean curriculums, hosted shop tours and became a spokesperson for Women in Manufacturing and STEM. Most recently, her time as Vice-President Programs & Services at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters allowed her to focus her support of manufacturers across Canada through connections to programs and advocacy. Cyndy continues to be engaged with helping SME’s through involvement with resources such as Community Futures Peterborough, liaising with government programs and mentoring post-secondary students.

June 24, 2020 – PETERBOROUGH, ON

The resiliency of Peterborough’s entrepreneurial community continues to shine and was a focus at this year’s Community Futures AGM, held virtually this morning. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and challenges facing our businesses, Peterborough entrepreneurs remain optimistic and committed to their community and how it will rebound.

“ We have seen time and time again from business owners in our region that they are committed to being creative, pivoting where they needed too and embracing a new way of doing business,’ says Gail Moorhouse, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “I couldn’t be prouder to work with such a resilient group of entrepreneurs.”

Several clients of Community Futures leveraged programs offered to develop e-commerce, found virtual offerings to deliver their services online or developed a new product. One of those clients was TreeWell Ltd, who transitioned into making hand sanitizer that can now be bought in stores throughout the community, including Canadian Tire.

COVID-19 allowed CFP to adapt their funding model to accommodate for the need of businesses to receive immediate relief. First, a COVID relief loan offered businesses a loan of up to $20,000, with no interest or payments for the first 90 days followed by an interest rate of 2.45% for the remainder of the term. Second, CFP also administers the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, which offers loans of up to $40,000 with no interest and no principal payments until December 31st, 2022, with the chance to have 25% of the loan, up to $10,000, forgiven if 75% of the loan is paid by that date.

“It was a year of challenging times for all of us,” said outgoing Chair Peter Gaffney. “I commend the work done by all of the staff at Community Futures to find innovative solutions for our clients during this time.”

The AGM also recognized outgoing Chair Peter Gaffney for his tenure leading the Board of Directors for the previous two and half years. Grant Seabrooke was sworn in as incoming Chair with Devon Girard serving as Vice Chair. Newly appointed Chair Grant Seabrooke says he is looking forward to seeing the growth of the organization during the coming years. “CFP is marking its 35th year this year, and who would have thought it would come at a time where we face unprecedented economic challenges,” says Seabrooke. “I look forward to working closely with our team, our community and government partners, and our clients to find innovative solutions during the coming year.”

More information about the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and other ways CFP is helping to support business can be found on the CFP website at communityfuturespeterborough.ca

With support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough’s mission is to generate and assist in creating and maintaining sustainable employment opportunities in the City and County of Peterborough by supporting small businesses through flexible financing and business services. CFP has invested $28 million in 700+ small businesses since 1985, leading to the creation or maintenance of more than 3,300 jobs in the City and County.

Media Contact:
Gail Moorhouse
Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough
Cell: 705-917-4245

July 24, 2019 – PETERBOROUGH, ON

Peterborough-based Cambium Consulting & Engineering has received the top prize of the ignite100 competition, announced by Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) at its annual general meeting held this afternoon.

“We are overjoyed to learn of our success in the ignite100 competition,” says Cambium President and CEO John Desbiens. “Thank you to Community Futures Peterborough for the encouragement and belief in the concept.”

The ignite100 program allowed local businesses to compete for a $100,000 loan interest-free for the first three years with no payments for the first year. Cambium was awarded the grand prize, while the two finalists, Cottage Toys and Goodwin Metals Products, will work with CFP to obtain flexible financing options for their new business ventures.

“The ignite100 program was launched by our Board of Directors earlier this year to propel a local business idea that was innovative and able to create local, sustainable jobs in the region,” said CFP Board Chair Peter Gaffney. “We are thrilled to support Cambium on their business venture and congratulate all participants.”

Cambium’s business model includes the development of a system to broker the transfer of excess soil from one construction site to another. “The positive impact of this made-in-Peterborough initiative will be far reaching, further enhanced by guidance from our regional public and private development partners,” adds Desbiens.

More information on the ignite100 program can be found at ignite100.ca or through the CFP website at communityfuturespeterborough.ca

With support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough’s mission is to generate and assist in creating and maintaining sustainable employment opportunities in the City and County of Peterborough by supporting small businesses through flexible financing and business services. CFP has invested $28 million in 700+ small businesses since 1985, leading to the creation or maintenance of more than 3,300 jobs in the City and County.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gail Moorhouse

Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough

Cell: 705 917-4245

John Desbiens

President and CEO, Cambium

Telephone: 705.742.7900

January 10, 2019 – PETERBOROUGH, ON

ignite100 has officially landed in Peterborough. Community Futures Peterborough announced its new innovation challenge program today giving area businesses the opportunity to compete for significant funding opportunities to grow or expand their business.

“This program is about giving area businesses another avenue to gain a competitive advantage,” says Peter Gaffney, Chair of Community Futures Peterborough. “We wanted to develop something specific for our community and allow as many businesses as possible participate in the competition.”

ignite100 was created by Community Futures Peterborough to assist in local business expansion. This is a local initiative open to all organizations within the city or county of Peterborough that have been in business for more than 2 years. It is also open to any business willing to relocate to the region. All industry sectors are encouraged to participate.

“The Greater Peterborough community has done an amazing job supporting our youth and startups, and Community Futures Peterborough is a major partner of both the Bear’s Lair and Win this Space programs,” says Gail Moorhouse, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “We believe that now is the time to focus on business expansion and provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to catapult their business forward. ignite100 is the catalyst to do just that.”

Entrants to ignite100 are competing for a 3-year interest free loan, with no payments for year one. They will also have access for up to one million dollars as a repayable loan(s) or equity position through Community Futures Peterborough partnerships.

The Ignite100 website opened for applications on Thursday January 10th, 2019 and applications will be accepted until March 15th, 2019. The winner will be announce at the Community Futures annual AGM and Community BBQ on June 26th, 2019.

More information can be found at www.ignite100.ca

Gail Moorhouse
Executive Director
Community Futures Peterborough
705 745-5434
gail@cfpeterborough.ca