Business Development Funding August 2020

Business Development Funds Awarded to Renfrew County and Pembroke Businesses to Support COVID-19 Recovery

PEMBROKE: Renfrew County Council is proud to announce that the recipients of the Business Development Fund have been selected. This unique funding program is being administered by Enterprise Renfrew County (ERC), on behalf of the County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke. This important funding acknowledged a need to assist businesses, vital to the health of our local economy, to deal with the fiscal hardships brought on by COVID-19.

Ninety-four (94) businesses from all sectors and from across the County of Renfrew and the City of Pembroke are being awarded funding of up to $5,000 each. The funding will enable the recipients to adapt to the on-going challenges of COVID-19 to make their business more sustainable and profitable in challenging local and global markets, and to be able to effectively weather future health, economic and competitive business challenges by adopting and creating best practices.

County of Renfrew Warden Debbie Robinson stated, “this Business Development Fund was a direct and immediate response to the recommendations of the County of Renfrew’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force members. These business and community leaders came together to advise the County of Renfrew on the business challenges created by COVID-19. This funding is direct support to our businesses to enable them to respond effectively to the crisis without incurring further debt.” “This very special funding program was unanimously supported by County Council as we all recognize the need to support our local businesses, upon whom we all rely for all our goods and services”, she further added.

“Retail, tourism, manufacturing, entertainment, accommodation, restaurants, agriculture and service businesses have all faced historic challenges and loss of revenue streams. This funding will help them to carry on serving the residents of the County of Renfrew,” said Chair of Development and Property Committee Bob Sweet.

City of Pembroke Mayor Michael LeMay shared, “We are so thrilled to be able to support twenty-five (25) City of Pembroke businesses with this grant. We know that many of our businesses have faced challenges during COVID-19 and are happy to be able to provide them with this financial support to pivot and adapt to this new normal. In Pembroke, we will continue to support local businesses as best we can during and after the pandemic. I am personally excited to see the new projects and initiatives of local businesses directly due to the Business Development Fund.”

With $200,000 from the County of Renfrew and $50,000 from the City of Pembroke contributed to the Business Development Fund, ERC will be able to distribute a quarter of a million dollars to businesses across their service area.

For more information: visit our website at www.enterpriserenfrewcounty.com.

Colleen Sadler Business Consultant, Enterprise Renfrew County 613-432-6848

Alastair Baird Manager, Enterprise Renfrew County (ERC) 613-732-0354

Michael Barber Media Relations/Grants Coordinator, County of Renfrew 613-735-7288

Heather Salovaara Economic Development, City of Pembroke 613-735-6821 x 1500

Enterprise Renfrew County

9 International Drive 
Pembroke, Ontario 
K8A 6W5
613-735-8224

450 O'Brien Road Suite 109
Renfrew, Ontario K7V 3Z2
613-432-9710