By Cecilia Nasmith

The Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland announces the new Faster Forward Summit Program, designed to help existing small-to-medium-sized enterprises in Northumberland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our local business community has encountered significant hurdles during the pandemic, and has also demonstrated enormous resilience,” Northumberland Director of Economic Development, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Dan Borowec said in the announcement.

“Through the new Faster Forward Summit Program, the BECN team will help small and medium-sized businesses in Northumberland channel the innovative spirit that has sustained them through this period and take their business to the next level, achieving over $1-million in sales.”

Building on the success of the Faster Forward Business Success Coaching program, this new membership program will help accelerate business expansion with such supports as virtual one-on-one coaching, peer-to-peer round tables with guest speakers and coaches, micro-grants, collaboration with other business owners, and access to targeted education and development resources.

Early registrant Suzanne Tilley, Managing Partner of McLean Chimney Co. Ltd., positions the value of this program from her perspective as “sharing best practices with other business owners and leveraging opportunities from the program’s targeted business support.”

Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini predicts it will be of immense value to the local economy.

“Supporting local business sustainability, retention and job growth during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to position Northumberland for a strong economic recovery and future growth. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these new resources and supports will have on our local business community,” Piccini said.

Applications for the Faster Forward Summit Program are accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligibility criteria include:

• Having been in business for two more more years

• Averaging $250,000 in sales

• Having at least two employees

• Having the goal to expand (or continue expanding)

• Having a proven business model, history of increasing sales, and a plan to create jobs

For more information about the Faster Forward Summit Program, visit Northumberland.ca/SummitProgram.