ESSEX COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION – ESSEX COUNTY, ON – Is pleased to announce the release of its 2013/14 Annual Snapshot of activities supporting businesses in rural Essex County.

“Through our business counselling and integration of county services with the Small Business Centre and WEtech Alliance; 2013/14 was a very productive year for our organization and for the region,” said Linda Scott, General Manager of Essex CFDC.  “We were able to provide advisory services to 163 businesses impacting 1044 jobs.  Moreover, through our capital investment fund, $708,775 in loans were disbursed for start-up; stabilization and expansion plans resulting in 213 jobs being created or maintained.  We are very proud since our inception to have disbursed $6.9 million and created/maintained 1,304 jobs through this fund to support local businesses in Essex County.”

About the Essex Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) –  Essex CFDC is a community-based, not for profit organization that encourages entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic opportunities in rural Essex County.  Services are provided with the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).  Key services include access to capital for local businesses – financing up to $250,000; and business counselling & referral services.