2021-2022 has proven to be another year year of transformation and growth. We made a strategic decision this past year to rebrand as Community Futures South Georgian Bay. Under this new branding we show our connection to an established and collaborative network of 267 Community Futures offices located across Canada that provide support to rural small businesses. Each office is deeply embedded and engaged with the local communities they serve, offering targeted business training, counselling and financial products specific to the needs of their small businesses. We are proud to be part of this amazing network and its shared vision to create diverse, sustainable communities and encourage entrepreneurial spirit.
This past year our local small businesses continued to face ongoing challenges as a result of COVID-19. These included supply chain issues, price increases and labour shortages. Our rural small businesses have demonstrated endless creativity, determination, grit, and incredible resourcefulness in the face of these challenges. It has been our pleasure as a Board and organization to serve our local entrepreneurs and communities and help them to respond and adapt as circumstances perpetually changed.
This year Community Futures South Georgian Bay celebrates 36 years in operation, completing another successful year supporting small business. We received close to $2M in loan applications this past year and have disbursed $25M in loan funding over the past 36 years. Our staff delivered 375 hours of coaching support to businesses looking to expand or grow – and connected many with experts and additional resources in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Click here to view the entire annual report: CF SGB ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22