By Cecilia Nasmith
A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation has issued a press release celebrating some numbers that have had a distinctly positive impact on the local business community.
Of $436.4-million made available to southern Ontario businesses through the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario (including $83.3-million in targeted rural support delivered by CFDCs), the Northumberland CFDC has provided $1,580,000 in liquidity support to help 31 businesses impacted by the pandemic cover fixed operating costs – and maintain 68 jobs.
“The funding is making a difference in Northumberland County by providing businesses the support they need to navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic, while finding ways to grow for the future,” the announcement said.
One example that was highlighted is the Cobblestone Farm women-owned bed-and-breakfast and wedding retreat in Cobourg – hard hit by the pandemic, as were so many businesses in the accommodation and tourism sector.
Owner Sam Campbell said 2020 was set to be a record year for the business, with significantly higher reservations for weddings, events, retreats and family stays over 2019.
“Then COVID hit, and everything came to a screeching halt,” Campbell recalled in the press release.
“All of our large events were cancelled, along with our international family stays.”
The RRRF funding meant the business could survive, she stated, and the continued support and guidance helped them through an incredibly difficult time.
Fells Meadows Farms had a similar story. A new Northumberland business that inspires people to reconnect with nature and be in retreat to nurture mind, body and soul, they were just beginning to gain momentum when the pandemic hit.
“The RRRF program is enabling us to weather the challenges, particularly with the ability to pay fixed costs through lockdown periods and manage cash flow,” owner Leslie Fell said.
“We are so very grateful for this lifeline support. This is walking the talk of, 'we are in this together.'”
The RRRF program was launched at a time of sky-high uncertainty early in the pandemic, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Melanie Joly said in the press release.
“We knew that Community Futures Development Corporations were in a unique position to help deliver this funding, using their local expertise. Now we are seeing the targeted results of that support, thanks to CFDCs supporting rural businesses and entrepreneurs during these challenging times.”
