The federal government's recent announcement of a dedicated loan program ex…

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The federal government's recent announcement of a dedicated loan program exclusively for rural businesses is ready to launch through the Community Futures Pan West Network. In our area, that is Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK). CFEK expects to be in a position to begin taking applications on June 1st.

See the following news release for more details on the program:

NEWS RELEASE – MAY 13, 2020
New Funding Available to Rural Businesses in Western Canada

Small and medium size businesses in rural communities have been hit hard by COVID-19. Until now, many have not qualified for federal government funding supports such as the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) or Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP). That is about to change. Rural businesses will be able to apply for loans of up to$40,000 from the $95.7 million earmarked for Western Canada through the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.

"No matter how wide we extend the safety net, businesses across Canada continue to slip through the cracks. Many entrepreneurs are still anxious about whether they will get the help they need,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada. “With nearly a billion dollars in support across the country, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund fills in some of the gaps.Our message to Canadians is clear: we are here for you now; we will be here for you in the weeks and months to come; and we will get through this together. We have got your back."

“Small and medium businesses are the backbones of many rural communities,” explains Jim MacMillan, Community Futures Pan West Network Board Chair. “We are excited to have additional resources to support them through the crucial recovery phase.”

Some loan highlights include:

• No interest accrual or principal payments through December 31, 2022
• If 75% of loan is repaid by December 31, 2022, the remainder of the loan is forgiven
• Blended principal and interest payments beginning January 1, 2023. Loans must be repaid by December 31, 2025
• No prepayment penalties

The 90 Community Futures organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will administer this program on behalf of Western Economic Diversification Canada. The Community Futures program is a volunteer-led initiative that has been providing financing and business resources to rural small businesses and communities since 1985.

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