Community Futures Middlesex – The Business Help Centre Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future Community Futures Middlesex has supported the growth and success of rural entrepreneurs and small business owners in Middlesex County for more than 23 years. With a commitment to empowering rural businesses through education, guidance, and funding, our latest strategic plan focused on “Strengthening Community” through our achievement of specific goals as they relate to the provision of entrepreneur business support, enhancing our partnerships, building awareness and serving as a voice for the benefit of local communities served. This vision became even more critical during the pandemic when many small businesses and communities faced unprecedented challenges. Much of our focus over the last four years has been dedicated to provision of economic relief and supporting recovery from the pandemic. We expanded our efforts to ensure local entrepreneurs had the resources and support needed to adapt and rebuild. The results of our strategic plan exceeded our original expectations, demonstrating the resilience and determination of our community. In our initial goals, we set a target of investing $6 million in local businesses over four years. Through careful planning and dedicated support, we surpassed this target, providing $8.4 million in funding to rural entrepreneurs and small business owners. This funding was more than just financial support — it represented a commitment to nurturing local talent, creating,
preserving jobs, and building a robust economic foundation for rural Middlesex County. Inclusiveness and diversity have also been central priorities in our mission. We are proud to share that 70% of our active loan portfolio consists of businesses owned or co-owned by members of underrepresented communities. Additionally, 28% of our investments have gone to the agri-food and food processing sector, a key industry in rural Ontario. These initiatives reflect our dedication to supporting a range of businesses that truly represent our community’s unique strengths and values. As we reflect on the achievements of our previous strategic plan, we are looking ahead. Our updated strategic plan will feature a renewed focus, shifting from economic relief and recovery to creating new opportunities for growth, innovation, and expansion. We believe by empowering local businesses to scale up, we can drive long-term resilience and build economic prosperity for rural Middlesex County. This plan will require collaboration. Over the coming months, we invite local partners, stakeholders, and community members to share their feedback. Together, we can shape the future. Connect with us through our website at cfmiddlesex.ca, where you can sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on our latest updates and progress towards updating our strategic plan. We look forward to building a stronger, more vibrant rural Middlesex County, as a champion of innovation, inclusivity, and community-driven growth.
Flex Rate Fund Giving your business the flexibility to grow
High interest rates shouldn’t stop your growth. Our Flex Rate Fund offers low rates and flexible terms to support new and existing small businesses in rural Middlesex County (outside the City of London).
Loan Options • Microloans: Up to $30,000, with terms of up to 5 years. • Small Business Loans: Up to $300,000, with terms of up to 15 years. Flexible Terms • Renewable One-Year Terms: Rates as low as Bank Prime + 2%. • Flexible Payment Plans: Structured to meet your specific needs. • Open Repayment: Repay at any time with no penalties.
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Page 6 Ilderton and Area Villager • December 2024
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