Community Futures Peterborough Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

During their annual general meeting, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) celebrated a record-breaking year at the Venture North Building in downtown Peterborough on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough.

The record-breaking year was for lending and business advisory services. In fiscal year 2025-2026, the organization received more than $4.36 million in loan applications and disbursed a record 56 loans totalling over $2.06 million to local businesses across the City and County. Through these investments, Community Futures Peterborough helped create or maintain 167 local jobs.

“Forty years of Community Futures Peterborough means 40 years of believing in entrepreneurs, funding businesses, and strengthening our regional economy,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “We’ve played a key role in helping thousands of local businesses start, grow, and thrive, and today, we are so proud to honour that legacy.”

The Business Advisory Centre delivered a record 541 in-depth business advisory consultations and supported more than 741 unique businesses through its in-person workshops.

“This record-breaking year is a prime example of what happens when we cut red tape and deliver smart, streamlined services for our local economy,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “By integrating the Business Advisory Centre under one roof, we have created an efficient, highly successful model that maximizes every dollar and puts entrepreneurship front and centre. Our government is committed to fueling economic growth, and by supporting Community Futures Peterborough, we are making sure local businesses have the direct capital and advisory tools they need to create jobs, drive innovation, and keep the Peterborough region open for business.”

“The integration of the Small Business Enterprise Centre program has reshaped how we deliver services as an organization,” said Wayne Harding, outgoing board chair. “The strong results from this fiscal year reinforce why bringing advisory and lending services together under one roof is an effective and efficient model for supporting entrepreneurs and our business community.”

This year’s AGM marked the departure of board chair Wayne Harding, who has served on the board of directors for 10 years, the maximum term. Sir Sandford Fleming employee and former small business owner Jenny Olauson was elected today as the new chair of the board of directors.

“It’s an honour to build on more than 40 years of impact,” said Olauson. “Our board has identified a strategic vision to build on the foundation of the Business Advisory Centre by expanding service offerings, deepening support for established businesses, and helping more businesses scale and grow across our region.”

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