New Funds through Community Futures
News Release
For Immediate Release
Government of Canada Investment Will Create Opportunities for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Businesses
March 20, 2014
Strathroy, ON-Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, celebrated with local businesses an $8-million, non-repayable contribution to the Western Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation Association, to allow it to continue to deliver the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation in southwestern Ontario (SOFII West).
The top-up investment, announced by Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario, will help to address new demand for loans, with a focus on the information and communications technology and food processing sectors.
This contribution is made possible through FedDev Ontario’s Prosperity Initiative.
Today’s announcement regarding the funds followed a series of stakeholder roundtables Minister Goodyear held in the past few months regarding challenges and opportunities for southern Ontario’s economy.
Quick Facts
• In July 2012, FedDev Ontario announced that the Western Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation Association would receive a contribution of up to $12 million under the Prosperity Initiative to capitalize and manage SOFII West, a self-sustaining, revolving loan fund, delivered in southwestern Ontario.
• Projects supported through SOFII West qualify for interest-bearing loans valued from $150,000 to $500,000.
• The loans aim to address the growth challenges faced by innovative small- and medium-sized enterprises, including: late-stage commercialization; development of a new product or service; finding new applications or markets; and the development or implementation of new processes or technologies.
“Our Government recognizes that innovation is a vehicle for prosperity in our communities,” said MP Shipley. “Through this Fund, we are investing in innovative companies that will create new business prospects and help to secure a prosperous future for all of southwestern Ontario.”