About Us

Welcome to the Eastern Ontario Development Program's official website. The purpose of our website is to educate the public on the regional initiatives that are benefiting the economic prosperity of Eastern Ontario, as well as providing a communication avenue where Eastern Ontario Development Corporations can provide information to one another and the general public.

The EODP is dedicated to continuing economic development within Eastern Ontario. If you have any economic development proposals, please contact your regional CFDC General Manager listed on this website.

Background

The role of the EO CFDC Network Inc is to advocate on behalf of the membership in order to support regional economic development initiatives in Eastern Ontario. It was created to strategically administer and coordinate the opportunities that are available to the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations of Eastern Ontario.

• Its membership consists of only Community Futures Development Corporations
• It acts as a coordinating entity for the membership and its strategic partners
• It can apply for and administer funds
• It has project management capacity
• It is operational in structure
• It has an active and engaged formal governance process

As such the EO CFDC Network Inc engages in the following activities:

• Securing support for A - base funding for the Eastern Ontario Development Program as well as seeing further funding opportunities under a regional mantle – in areas such as broadband, export development and targeted cross border relationships strategically with like minded organizations.
• Diminishes the duplication of practices that marginalize our efforts by having multiple Community Futures Development Corporation’s apply to the same funding source.
• Better coordinates EODP efforts with those of Ontario East Economic Development Commission and the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus.
• Utilizes the success of the EODP to ensure a strong rural “voice at the table” for Eastern Ontario.
• Strategically positions the EO CFDC Network Inc membership to take full advantage of the Canada - Ontario Labour Market Partnership Agreement LMPA.
• Finalizes the creation of an Eastern Ontario Investment Pool and become the entity for administrating the pool.
• Provides the necessary administrative capacity to manage the East Regional budget.
• Coordinates the meeting and information needs of the membership.
• Supports and coordinates professional development activities for staff and volunteers.
• Institutes a well-coordinated communication strategy for the 15 Eastern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation’s that creates a cohesive and consistent message to both internal and external stakeholders.

The 15 Community Futures Development Corporations of Eastern Ontario are community-based, not-for-profit organizations that are each run by a board of local volunteers. They are staffed by professionals who encourage entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic opportunities.

Through FedNor / Industry Canada, the Government of Canada provides funding, advice and support.

CFDC's Offer the Following Services

• Strategic community planning and socio-economic development
  • CFDCs work closely with communities to assess local challenges and to look at new ideas and opportunities that could strengthen their economies.
  • In consideration of the unique circumstances of the local area, they plan and help implement development strategies that are designed to build brighter futures for the communities they serve.

• Support for community-based projects
  • Through CFDCs collaborate with a variety of partners from the public and private sectors to implement projects or special initiatives targeted to their communities in areas such as tourism, entrepreneurship, economic diversification and community adjustment

• Business services
  • CFDCs understand small businesses and the local marketplace. They provide important services to businesses, entrepreneurs and social enterprises, including:
    • Business counselling, documentation and referrals
    • Guidance with business plans
    • Export support
    • Entrepreneurial training
    • Information on relevant federal and provincial programs and services

• Access to capital

Through Government of Canada funding, CFDCs administer local investment funds to help finance new or existing small businesses and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization plans that help maintain or create jobs.