Our Mission
We provide innovative solutions to small to medium-sized enterprises by delivering techniques and funding opportunities to develop their economic and employment growth with high-quality services and expert guidance.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and InclusionWe treat all members of our community with respect and dignity, actively promoting inclusion and diversity within all fundamental components of our network.
Board of Directors
Nicole Handspiker-Adams
Chair
- Town of Petawawa
- Services Coordinator with the Petawawa Transition Centre
Meghan Sutherland
Vice-Chair
- City of Pembroke
- Branch Manager at Meridian Credit Union
- Past President of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Lynn Saunders
Treasurer
- Township of McNab/Braeside
- CFO-Plaintree Industries
Ray Bonenberg
Past Chair
- Township of North Algona Wilberforce
- Past Regional Director of Ministry of Natural Resources
- Entrepreneur
Siobhan McGarr
Director
- City of Pembroke
- Francophone federal employee
- Advocate for those who are marginalized, veterans and seniors.
Sheldon Reiche
Director
- Township of Laurentian Valley
- Lawyer
- Business Owner
Dave Lemkay
Director
- Township of Admaston/Bromley
- Canadian Forestry Association Chair
- Algonquin Forest Authority
John Becvar
Director
- Township of Laurentian Valley
- Past Regional Director-Scotiabank
Wendy Stone
Director
- Township of Whitewater Region
- Entrepreneur CPA CMA
Recruitment Process
The organization strives to have a well-balanced board with representation from across Renfrew County, 50:50 gender parity and a cross-section of ages. In addition to being knowledgeable and passionate about the communities they serve, our directors have expertise in various disciplines that support our mandates and objectives.
Members
Tony Garretto
Member
- City of Pembroke
- Lawyer
Angela Schutt
Member
- City of Pembroke
- Partner at Welch LLP accounting firm, specializing in public and non-profit accounting services.
We have been fostering economic growth in the Renfrew County area since 1986.
We offer key services in the following areas: Repayable small business financing, Business counselling services and resources, and Access to funding for community projects and small businesses.
Our Objectives
To promote and participate in the development of community plans and strategies for addressing socio-economic change, development of local economies and job creation.
To provide financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs experiencing difficulties in obtaining traditional financing for the development, expansion, or restructuring of their operations where the aforementioned objectives, new employment opportunities or the introduction of new business initiatives are involved.
To become self-sufficient in the provision of loans to enhance regional economic diversification and job creation.
To provide skilled business advice to clients.
Our Key Partners
FedDev Ontario delivers programs and services to support innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario. FedDev Ontario supports the Community Futures organizations and their respective regional networks that are located within rural eastern and southern Ontario.
Community Futures Eastern Ontario represents the network of 14 participating Community Futures Development Corporations in Eastern Ontario and acts as their regional voice. We are a community driven economic development initiative designed to assist rural areas.
Success Stories
“We have been working with RCCFDC for several years. We appreciate how they are always looking out for our best interests, especially during these challenging days. They really do care about small business and are always ready to help with guidance and reassurance. We can honestly say that the success of our business is in part due to the support we have received from RCCFDC.”
Yvette-Boudreau-Smith, Pinewood Inn
“Riverwood Acoustics started 3 years ago with a mission to design and manufacture world class audio products made from reclaimed historic timber in Renfrew County. With the support of the entire team at RCCFDC we have been able to scale our first product (Hudson) into an expanding product line and now are shipping across North America and soon Europe. The funding, guidance and local resources allow us to continuously drive growth in our business in downtown Renfrew.”
Ben Seaman, Riverwood Acoustics
“We have been working with RCCFDC for several years. We appreciate how they are always looking out for our best interests, especially during these challenging days. They really do care about small business and are always ready to help with guidance and reassurance. We can honestly say that the success of our business is in part due to the support we have received from RCCFDC.”
Yvette-Boudreau-Smith, Pinewood Inn
“We have been working with RCCFDC for several years. We appreciate how they are always looking out for our best interests, especially during these challenging days. They really do care about small business and are always ready to help with guidance and reassurance. We can honestly say that the success of our business is in part due to the support we have received from RCCFDC.”
Yvette-Boudreau-Smith, Pinewood Inn
“We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the support and tremendous assistance received from Community Futures Development Corporation. RCCFDC provided the funding that we required, when traditional lending institutions would not. Our mission was to transform a 1950’s group of rundown cabins into a quaint, modern, well maintained, small resort facility. The community of Calabogie has long been a tourist destination but has always lacked accommodations for extended stays.
Without the backing from Community Futures in 2012 the property would have, in all likelihood, been transformed into a single use, residential site.
In September 2020, with the wholehearted support and encouragement of Mike Thompson, Business Development Officer RCCFDC, we were able to obtain traditional bank financing which provided for an interest reduction. The current appraisal required by the Bank showed an increase of 55% in the value of this project.
Our facility consistently receives a rating of 5 out of 5 from our guests. By visiting our commercial cottage listing at www.cottagesincanada.com/whippoorwillvalley you will find REVIEWS as well as forty photos of what has become a gem in the Calabogie tourism crown.
The confidence and sense of security afforded to us, by the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation organization was equally as important as the financial assistance.”William Weiss, Whippoorwill Valley Cottages