Who We Are:
Community Futures South Georgian Bay (CF SGB), previously known as the Centre For Business and Economic Development, is a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) sponsored by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. We’re governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and are one of 61 CFDCs in Ontario.
What We Do:
Our mandate is to develop and diversify the local economy. We are a one-stop business resource for new and expanding businesses and offer:
- business loans up to $300,000
- business coaching/mentoring program
- business counselling
- support for community economic development
Our Service Area:
CF South Georgian Bay’s service area includes the municipalities within West Simcoe, South Grey and Dufferin Counties.
South Grey County
- Meaford
- Town of The Blue Mountains
West Simcoe County
- Collingwood
- Township of Clearview
- Wasaga Beach
Dufferin County
- Grand Valley
- Mono
- Orangeville
- Shelburne
- Township of Amaranth
- Township of East Garafraxa,
- Township of Melancthon and
- Township of Mulmur
Find the Community Futures Office for your area – https://cfontario.ca/find-cfdc-office-pf-en
Staff
Gillian Fairley
General Manager (ext. 101)
gfairley@cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca
General manager only because full time super skilled hero is not a job title.
Gillian has assisted small businesses in the community for over 10 years providing mentoring, resources, advice and support during all phases of business start-up, development and growth. Prior to working with the entrepreneurial community, Gillian travelled throughout the United States and Europe as a management consultant working with both large and small organizations. She has also run her own business including a charitable organization. When not in the office, Gillian takes full advantage of the amazing snowshoeing and hiking trails in the area.
Maryann Almas
Loans Coordinator and Business Advisor (ext. 103)
malmas@cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca
Professional "i" dotter and "t" crosser!
Maryann joined our team in June 2017. She graduated from the University of Waterloo before working for several non-profit organizations. Maryann brings experience as a coordinator, bookkeeper, planner, and is the primary contact for our loan clients. Ask Maryann about how we can help your business grow! Maryann likes to ‘hurry hard’ at the local curling club and spend time with her two children, husband and dog Dash.
Angela Ewald
Administrative Assistant (ext. 102)
aewald@cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca
Angela returned to our organization in the fall of 2021. She had previously worked here from 2001 to 2008 before moving to northern Ontario for twelve years. When she comes across documents with her handwriting from before, it can be a bit surreal. Angela has an extensive background in office administration. She completes our ongoing bookkeeping and recordkeeping as well as our social media updates. Her work experience has allowed her to exercise some hidden talents: she can read upside down, say the alphabet backwards, and she has a keen eye for editing documents. Outside of work, Angela enjoys spending time with family or exploring the trails and paths in the area.
Board of Directors
Todd Young
Darryl Hindle
Mira Ortved
Mark Jamieson
John Squire
Alessandro Lupo
Derron Bodell
Mary Gibson
Alex Schwertner