Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it became clear that businesses and entrepreneurs would require financial assistance. The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) launched in May 2020 to provide liquidity support to businesses and not-for-profit organizations affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19. Its eligible applicants are businesses and not-for-profits unable to access other federal relief measures or that require additional support.

The RRRF recently expanded across southern Ontario, with an additional $184 million now available. The latest parameters include increases to contribution amounts and the timeframe for eligible costs, which are available to new applicants and existing recipients. Join members of Community Futures Middlesex and Invest in Middlesex, as well as officials from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to learn more.

Presented by Todd Copeland, General Manager of Community Futures Middlesex, Cara Finn, Director of Economic Development with Invest in Middlesex and a representative of FedDev Ontario, this edition of The Rural Edge webinar series will address the following:

• Examples of RRRF recipients in Middlesex County accessed through the Community Futures Program.
• How the RRRF is impacting Middlesex County’s tourism sector.
• Program guidelines and criteria for the RRRF, responding to any questions you may have about the program.

About the Speakers

Todd Copeland became General Manager of Community Futures Middlesex in November 2019 after serving for more than two years as a member of the Board of Directors, with membership on both the Executive and Loans Committees. He has extensive experience supporting entrepreneurs in both the private and public sectors as an innovation, relationship and partnership champion.

Cara Finn took over as Director of Economic Development with Invest in Middlesex in May 2015, previously serving as General Manager of Community Futures Middlesex for more than 13 years. She also worked as Deputy Manager of Downtown London’s revitalization and managed the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation’s entrepreneurial programs for several years.

FedDev Ontario delivers programs and services to support innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario—Canada’s most populous region. Its geographic reach includes 37 Statistics Canada census divisions, from Cornwall in the east to Owen Sound in the west, and from Pembroke in the north to Windsor in the south.