CORNWALL – The executive director of the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce says close to 55 small and medium-sized businesses in Cornwall and SD&G have been helped through a FedDev Ontario funding package.
The details were shared Friday as Marie-France Lalonde, parliamentary secretary to the federal economic development minister, highlighted that the Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) 9 and the chamber received $500,000 and $250,000 respectively to help local businesses coming out of the pandemic.
The money was expected to help 75 businesses and save up to 185 jobs between the two entities.
“These sector specific targeted funding programs are vital to ensuring that businesses are not falling through the cracks and I know the various businesses we were able to support, the almost 55 at this point, without this support would have struggled to continue,” Executive Director Greg Pietersma said.
Businesses can’t apply for the funding now – the application window has already closed and the money was given out several months ago.
Some businesses helped include Stonehouse Vineyard in Alexandria and Sheep’s Head Bistro in Glen Walter.