What was very good the first time around promises an even better encore.
Business, economic development, and political leaders gathered Tuesday (January 14) at the Art Gallery of Peterborough to hear word that $100,000 in Community Advancement Program (CAP) funding will be awarded this year to successful applicants by Community Futures Peterborough (CFP).
That announcement comes almost one year to the day that CAP funding, provided by the federal government via the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was first made available to not-for-profits, charities, municipalities, and First Nations for projects supporting economic growth.
The past year saw $50,000 distributed equally to 10 successful applicants, but now, with $100,000 being made available, 10 applicants will be provided $10,000 each in non-repayable funding.
CAP funding applications and program guidelines are available online at communityfuturespeterborough.ca/programs/caprogram/. The deadline to apply is March 7, with successful applicants notified by April 7.
Meanwhile, those with questions about the program are directed to email CFP financial administrator and program officer Abby Keenan directly at abigail@cfpeterborough.ca.
The program is seeking applicants located in Peterborough city or county whose bids speak, in whole or part, to the following:
- Create jobs, spark innovation and foster inclusiveness for specific client groups, such as women, youth, or Indigenous people, as the business starts, grows, or diversifies.
Help small businesses adapt to changing economies and technologies. - Create partnerships with local governments, Indigenous groups, educational institutions, and/or community organizations.
- Boost economic impact by strengthening and expanding tourism markets.
- Support organizations by promoting regional economic development.
The announcement was made at the Art Gallery of Peterborough for good reason. It was one of the 10 successful applicants last year, receiving $5,000 in support of its annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, which marked 40 years last September.
“The support through the CAP program made all the difference last year,” said gallery director Celeste Scopelites, noting more than 8,000 people went on the studio tour — an increase of 49 per cent over 2023 — with an estimated $750,000 infused into the local economy as a result.
“The support helped us improve our signage, with larger signs placed in rural areas,” explained Scopelites of how AGP used the CAP funding. “We were also able to expand our offering for emerging artists — those that might not have a studio that they can welcome the public into. We created a space in the Peterborough Public Library where those artists could host and show their work. That was a great new addition that we’re going to carry on with.”
Other successful 2024 applicants were the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation, the Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association, PWD Visuals Limited, the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario, the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, the Peterborough Folk Festival, and Peterborough GreenUP.
In her remarks, CFP executive director Devon Girard said CAP funding helps boost business attraction, investment, retention, and employment in the city and county of Peterborough. She added the aim is “to move the dial to support economic development in the region.”
“These projects create jobs, spark innovation, create partnerships and help expand tourism markets,” Girard said. “We can’t wait to see the projects our community brings to us this year.”
CFP board chair Wayne Harding echoed that sentiment, noting each CAP funding application will be reviewed by a committee comprised of board members and CFP staff.
“I’ve been on the board to 10 years now. Every time we’ve launched a program, I’ve been amazed by the ideas the community comes up with. They’re always innovative, there’s always something unique, and something you don’t expect to see.”
Also taking to the podium were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal, and Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark.
“It is the great ideas of entrepreneurs that change the world,” said MP Ferreri. “When organizations thrive, everybody thrives. This opportunity to have $10,000 to advance your program or organization will be very beneficial for the entire community. That’s what it’s all about. When our community grows, our country grows.”
Mayor Leal, meanwhile, took time to praise CFP, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year.
“In 1985, the Government of Canada, under the leadership of the late Brian Mulroney, instituted Community Futures from sea to sea to sea,” he related.
“When you think about this organization, you think about Judy Heffernan, who was the executive director for 16 years and laid the foundation for its success today. I’m pleased to hear CFP is building on the success of the first year (of CAP funding) by increasing the grants to $10,000. CFP continues to show that, by supporting our local businesses and non-profits, they can make a tremendous impact on our entire community.”
For her part, Warden Clark, the newly minted chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, noted that “economic development is ripe for opportunity in eastern Ontario.”
“I appreciate the focus of this program on creating jobs, sparking innovation, fostering inclusivity, building resilience, encouraging partnerships, maximizing economic impact and supporting our regional development. I’ll be sure to encourage groups across Peterborough County to apply. I’m looking forward to seeing what our community can create with the support of the Community Advancement Program.”
Afterwards, Girard says the CAP program funding increase stems from “a strategic investment recommendation made by staff to our board.”
“Aside from working hard to reduce our operational dollars, any dollars we’ve been able to save we believe strongly should be invested back into the community. Our board felt strongly that this is a program it could and should support under our internally restricted fund. That was the proceeds from the sale of our building on Charlotte Street. We decided to invest additional dollars into the Community Advancement Program this year from that fund.”
Girard says a major factor in moving forward with CAP funding was the response to last year’s call for applications, which brought forward more than 70 submissions.
“One of the things that’s really exciting about the program is to not set strong guidelines. That has allowed organizations to come to us with really creative and exciting examples of how they can spark innovation, create more jobs or boost the business or tourism profile in the region.”
“We can’t wait to see the applications that come in this year,” added Girard.
Following the gathering, kawarthaNOW pulled Mayor Leal aside for an update on another pressing matter pertaining to economic development in the city of Peterborough: the status of the hiring of a permanent economic development director. That position has been filled on a temporary basis since November by Blair Nelson, Peterborough’s current infrastructure commissioner.
“We have concluded all of our final interviews,” confirmed Mayor Leal. “We have one candidate and we’re in process of making a final offer from a compensation perspective, and respecting that this individual has to talk to their current employer and give sufficient notice that he or she may be leaving their position.”
“I was in the last interview of two prospective candidates. The individual selected has the ability and skill set to make a real contribution to the economic development of the city, and work cooperatively with our colleagues in the county on a regional basis.”
Asked if a hiring announcement is imminent, Mayor Leal said “Soon.”
