CDC Offers Business Loans at Prime Rate

While there is much less talk these days about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Development Corp. (CDC) recognizes that many businesses continue to feel the effects and, in some cases, are still trying to catch up. CDC also recognizes the challenge that rising interest rates are causing. That is why CDC has…

CDC Now Accepting Grant Applications!

The Community Development Corp. (CDC) is now accepting grant applications for the Community Capacity Building Fund. The CDC has $20,000 to invest in projects and would like to maximize impact by funding a variety of projects in both for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations/social enterprises. The intent of the funding is to strengthen our communities by…

Business Loans: Cocoon Orillia

A loan from the Orillia CDC enabled Candy Potter (registered psychotherapist) and Steve Caston (graphic designer) to create Cocoon Orillia – beautiful turnkey offices for psychotherapists, social workers and other independent health and wellness practitioners in the Orillia Area. “The CDC understood our vision, and gave us the support, guidance, and financial backing to make…

Local BizLink Program Recognized with Provincial Award

Community Futures Ontario recognizes the BizLink Program as the Community Economic Development (CED) Project of the year. BizLink, a regional Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) program, connects new entrepreneurs with retiring business owners and supports them through successful business transitions, simultaneously developing successful entrepreneurs who create employment, maintain valuable goods and service offerings, and contribute…

Regional Event: Your Entrepreneurial Journey – Don’t Travel Alone

On April 5, 2023, BizLink and its four regional Community Futures offices hosted the event: Your Entrepreneurial Journey – Don’t Travel Alone. At this event, attendees learned how to build the right team of people, both within and outside their organization, to enhance their success. The event Included: Networking Adventure Sarah-Jane VandenBerg, Author, Speaker &…

New Life for The Death Industry: Canadians AWAKE to a Simple, Sustainable & Spiritual Afterlife Alternative

These two Ontario-ordained Ministers and entrepreneurs don’t shy away from conversations about death, even if most of us do. Instead, they educate Canadians on a simple, eco-friendly and innovative alternative to traditional funeral and burial options. Amanda Kelly and Lauren Andrew are the founders of AWAKE, an ashes-to-earth eco-solution company offering Canada’s only carbon-neutral cremation…