Enterprise Renfrew County seeks more cash
BUSINESS
Posted By STEPHEN UHLER SUHLER@THEDAILYOBSERVER.CA
Updated 3 months ago
Enterprise Renfrew County is hoping to persuade municipalities and other partners to kick in more cash to help keep it going.
Mitchell Wilkie, the organization's manager, appeared before Pembroke's economic development committee Tuesday to see if the members are interested in boosting the city's annual contribution from $1,000 to $5,000 for 2010.
He said he will be also approaching the town of Renfrew in January to make the same appeal, and has contacted Renfrew County Community Futures Corporation to become a new funding partner.
"We've had challenged over the years," he said, as they maintain their many successful programs.
In 2009 so far, it has assisted in the start of 41 new businesses and the creation of 52 new jobs across the county, with most of these concentrated in Pembroke and Renfrew.
What has made the agency look for more finding is the fact the province has scaled it back.
Last year, ERC was $20,000 in the hole when Ontario suddenly cut $70,000 of its funding.
"We were halfway through the year before they announced that," Mr. Wilkie said, as the money was reallocated to help the auto industry when the recession first bit deep. The agency had to scramble, but was able to make up the loss thanks to the county, which stepped in and covered it.
In the wake of that, he said it was decided to secure more funding from other sources, so it can continue with its many new business development programs.
Mr. Wilkie said he knows municipalities are facing tight budgets, so he wanted to make the request early so they can think about it. He said he doesn't expect the province to kick in more money this year, hence he is approaching partners for more if possible.
Stephen Uhler is a Daily Observer reporter
