Prince George, British Columbia — Prince George area entrepreneurs today celebrated their business successes, achieved with the support of Community Futures Fraser Fort George. Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, emphasized to local entrepreneurs the important role British Columbia Community Futures (CF) offices play in creating a thriving business environment.

“Wise investments by Community Futures improve the strength of community economic development in the Prince George area,” said MP Dick Harris on behalf of Minister Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada. “As we compete in the global economy, Canada’s New Government supports community efforts that create jobs and economic diversification within British Columbia and across Canada.”

Successful Community Futures entrepreneurs from across the region celebrating today include those who provide goods and services in the areas of wood pellet biomass fuel, wood manufacturing, and birch syrup production.
In 2006, Canada’s New Government, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, renewed a four-year core funding agreement with Community Futures offices, providing more than $110 million across the four western provinces. During 2005-06, B.C.’s Community Futures approved a total of 397 loans to businesses, with a total value of $17.8 million, creating or maintaining almost 1,500 jobs.

”The success of local entrepreneurs and community-driven economic programs in creating new jobs and opportunities in rural areas continue in times of change”, said Don Zurowski, General Manager of Community Futures of Fraser Fort George. “We believe that assisting individuals to develop businesses is one of the best ways to diversify and strengthen our local economy”.

Established in 1992, the Community Futures Development Association of B.C. (CFDA of BC) represents 34 individual Community Futures offices located throughout rural British Columbia. The offices foster local entrepreneurship, and promote, coordinate and implement a variety of community development initiatives within their respective communities. They also offer a variety of entrepreneurial programs, business counselling, loan programs and business information to community members interested in expanding or starting their own businesses.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Bernee Bolton
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-1324
Web site: www.wd.gc.ca

Don Zurowski
General Manager
Community Futures of Fraser Fort-George
(250) 562-9622
Web site: www.cfdc.bc.ca

A stronger West. A stronger Canada