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2. The Community Futures program was established nationally in 1986 and is funded by the federal government.

3. The program was created in response to severe economic and labour market changes faced by rural Canadian communities in the early ’80s.

4. Over the last 25 years Community Futures has played a significant role in entrepreneurial and community development throughout western Canada.

5. 267 Today there are 267 Community Futures offices across Canada, including 90 in the four western provinces.

6. Each Community Futures office is an independently-run, non-profit organization.

7. Each Community Futures office is Guided by a volunteer Board of Directors Staffed with business professionals

8. Each Community Futures office offers a range of services to entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities.

9. Our focus is on small- and medium-sized businesses – key sources of economic growth: They can be more flexible and responsive than big business They can often create employment amidst layoffs If they are well managed, they can seize opportunities

10. Services to entrepreneurs include: Loans for entrepreneurs wishing to start, expand, relocate or purchase a small business Assistance in creating business plans The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program

11. Services to businesses include: One-on-one business counselling Workshops and coaching Ongoing mentoring and resources

12. Services to communities include: Strategic community planning and support for rural economies Building capacity within communities Facilitating partnerships Integrating resources Special initiatives

13. Over 85% of businesses in Western Canada have fewer than 20 employees.* We must all work together to support the small businesses in our community. *Small Business Research and Policy, Industry Canada

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