2019 Annual Report

Home , Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Manitouwadge, Pays Plat First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band, Terrace Bay

2019 Annual Report

CONTENTS

About Superior North CFDC 2 Message from the Board Chair 3 Board and Members 4 Staff 5 Contributors 5 12 Communities, 1 Region 6 Business Services 7 Investment Fund 8 Economic Development 9 Tourism 10 Partners 11 Youth Entrepreneurship Initiatives 12 Official Languages 13 Communications 14 Special Events 15 Superior North Spotlight 16 Appendix 1 17 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Consolidated Statement of Changes in Fund Balance Consolidated Statement of Operations

Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) supports community economic development by assisting communities located within its catchment area to strengthen and diversify their economies.

2019 Annual Report

About Superior North CFDC

Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is a not-for-profit corporation, governed by volunteer members and staffed by professionals. Community Futures (CF) is a national program that supports grassroots community economic development (CED) by allowing local citizens to make decisions for the benefit of their rural communities. In Northwestern Ontario the CF program is funded through the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor). Services are provided in both official languages. The program is overseen by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

The organization was incorporated as two separate entities in January 1988, the Business Development Centre and the Schreiber-Terrace Bay Community Futures Organization. In 1994 the original corporations were amalgamated to become Superior North Community Development Corporation, and in 2003 the word “Futures” was added to the corporation as part of a national CFDC common-identifier project.

Superior North CFDC actively supports and stimulates economic growth and diversification by: • creating and implementing strategies for community economic development and diversification • assisting small business and community organizations by providing advisory services, technical support, loans, equity, and access to capital • helping to sustain a viable regional employment base for present and future generations. • we have had a total of 131 amazing volunteers involved in the organization to date.

2019 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Working with the Staff & Board on both the Investment Committee & Board of Directors has been a very rewarding experience over the last five years. With all the loans and support that Superior North CFDC has provided to the residents in our region, it has helped with the growth of our economy. The whole district has flourished with the participation of the organization through their involvement with the Chambers of Commerce, Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations and North Shore Network. The partnerships that have been established will assist the prosperity of Norther Ontario. It has been a pleasure to be a part of it. Unfortunately, we lost two very important members over the last year. One of them was the departure of Ashley Davis. She was the Bilingual Business & CED Officer for Superior North CFDC. She was replaced by Erinn Nesbitt who left her position as Head Start in Business Coordinator to join the SNCFDC team as the Business Development Officer (Bilingual). Erinn has worked for SNCFDC in the past as the Self Employment Benefits Assistant & Coordinator. While Ashley will be missed, I’m sure Erinn will do a great job as her replacement. The other was the passing of long time Superior North CFDC member and Chairman of the Board, Larry Woods. He joined the organization in February 2011 as a member of the Development Committee. Larry joined the Board of Directors in June 2013. He passed away November 19, 2019. We will miss his sense of humor and dedication to everything he worked for.

The staff and Board participated in a very enlightening Workshop on Cyber Security presented by Thunder Bay Information Technology Solutions. 2019 was an unusual year for lending at Superior North CFDC. The demand for loans was substantially down from previous years. Numerous inquiries were answered with little commitment to borrow. The local economy in 2019 had an abundance for employment opportunities resulting in fewer entrepreneurs needing to create their own jobs. Business counselling sessions exceeded our target but again 2019 was a slow year for new business starts and/or expansions. We were very pleased that the Federal government believes in Superior North CFDC by announcing our five year funding continuation. A FedNor investment of $1.7 million in the Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation (SNCFDC) will ensure that entrepreneurs looking to start a business or take their existing business to the next level find the assistance they need. Specifically, the funding is supporting the organization’s ongoing operations for the next five years. As a result, the organization will provide small businesses and community organizations with advisory services, technical support and access to capital throughout its designated service area, which stretches from Dorion to Manitouwadge. I look forward to another exciting year with Superior North CFDC. Hopefully we will see growth of tourism & entrepreneurs while sustaining the existing businesses. Sincerely,

Louise Dupuis Chairperson of the Board of Directors

2019 Annual Report

BOARD AND MEMBERS Superior North CFDC is a not-for-profit corporation governed by volunteer members and a Board of Directors. IN MEMORY OF

The Board of Directors (as of December 31, 2019) Larry Woods Chairperson: Louise Dupuis - Nipigon Vice-Chair: Brad McMillan - Rossport Secretary/Treasurer: James Robinson – Terrace Bay Directors: Patricia Behun - Dorion Mona Dakin – Terrace Bay Norma Fawcett – Red Rock Indian Band Karen Robinson – Manitouwadge Tracy Paulsen – Terrace Bay

Members (as of December 31, 2019) Stephen Behun - Dorion David Crawford - Nipigon • Larry celebrated 8 years as Janis Dulpins – Terrace Bay a member of SNCFDC in Heidi Falzetta – Terrace Bay 2019. He was Board Chair Lucie Lehoux - Marathon for 1.5 years, vice chair for 4 Phil McGuire – Red Rock years and a committee Karen Robinson – Manitouwadge member for 3 years

• He was also very active in his community, he was on Red 2019 LONG STANDING Rock Town Council, Northern MEMBER APPRECIATION Credit Union, St. Mary’s Church, Crime Stoppers & Red Rock Legion 226. Louise Dupuis – 5 Years • Larry will be greatly missed by our members, staff and the many community organizations he served.

2019 Annual Report

Ron Shelley Christine Erinn Salo Norris Rajala Nesbitt General Financial Lending Business Manager Coordinator Coordinator Development Officer

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

In May, Ron Salo celebrated his 10th anniversary with SNCFDC. He started as a Busin ess Development Officer in May of 2009 & was promoted to GM in Sept 2014. He is dedicated to the organization, having travelled over 200km/day, equivalent to over 420,000km in 10 years!

Superior North CFDC gratefully acknowledges the federal financial contribution of FedNor through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Without support from this federal regional development organization, Superior North CFDC would not be able to exist. The organization would also like to thank the FedNor Initiatives Officer, Kaarina Osala -Schaaf who assisted us in 2019.

Our funding agency provides the resources that make our services and programs possible and accessible to everyone. The members and staff of Superior North CFDC collaborate to maximize these resources for the benefit of the communities of the North of Superior region.

2019 Annual Report

12 COMMUNITIES, 1 REGION

Superior North CFDC is proud to serve 12 communities which are spread over one large region on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We deliver a full suite of business advisory services; offer strategic community planning and socio-economic development; provide access to capital and support community projects and special initiatives. The Board of Directors remains committed to providing community outreach services. This is the heart of our success as we continue to spend staff time in each community. In 2019, staff fulfilled this commitment by delivering 94 day-long community visits with an average of 8 per month. Superior North CFDC feels that the best way to serve the region is to provide easy access to our services. Superior North CFDC extends our most sincere thanks to each of the municipalities and First Nations in our region for providing our organization with office space while in their communities. The office space that is provided is extremely valuable as it allows us to assist your residents, businesses, community organizations and economic development organizations. Thank you for being our “Partner in Success”.

2019 Annual Report

BUSINESS SERVICES

Our advisory services assist entrepreneurs to:

 clarify their business concept and explore feasibility  learn how to start-up their business  register their business name or not-for-profit corporation  provide access to provincial and federal forms for various registrations and information  develop a business plan, an operational plan and develop their marketing strategy  learn bookkeeping basics and smart financial management  obtain activity-sector information  obtain information on how not-for-profit, co-operatives and franchises operate

In 2019, we assisted businesses and clients by conducting 150 general inquiries and delivering 240 in-depth counseling interviews. In-depth interviews are one-on-one counseling sessions delivered to clients or businesses. These in-depth counseling sessions resulted in business growth and diversification. New jobs and businesses have been impacted by our counseling services.

Experience North

Outdoor Equipment Store

2019 Annual Report

Investment fund

Through Government of Canada funding, Superior North CFDC administers a local investment fund. Since the first capital contribution was received from the federal government in 1989 our Investment Fund has grown in value to over $5.08 million dollars. Loans and equity investments approved and disbursed total over $20.2 million dollars, with interest and investment income of $6.05 million. Financing is available to eligible new or existing businesses or social enterprises for expansion or modernization projects that create and maintain jobs. The fund is administrated by a local Investment Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, to manage and allocate funds, ensuring secure growth and sustainability. For investments over $250,000.00, six Northwestern Ontario CFDC organizations pool their resources to offer financing up to $600,000.00 for small businesses and social enterprises. In 2019, $305,000 was disbursed to 3 businesses. These funds resulted in 2 new business starts, which created 12 jobs & leveraged funds over $332,000.

Investment Portfolio by Community

Manitouwadge 3

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg 1

Marathon 9

Terrace Bay 10

Schreiber 4

Rossport/Pays Plat First Nation 1

Nipigon/Lake Helen First Nation 6

Red Rock 2

Dorion 0

Hurkett 0

Other - NWOIP 14

Total 50

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

2019 Annual Report

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

North Shore Network The facilitation of this regional group continued to be the cornerstone of Superior North CFDC’s economic development services. In 2019 the group met on three occasions at our central Terrace Bay facility. Communities shared information about current initiatives, their successes and challenges. Through presentations from stakeholders, business and government, participants were educated on new trends, practices and ideas. Examples of presentations included:

 Regional Tourism Strategy  Heli Tours  Kasper Transportation  Manitouwadge Shrimp Farm  Casque Isle Hiking Trail  AV Terrace Bay  Cyber Security – TBAYIT  Contact North  Nuclear Waste Management Organization  Origin  Come North Conference Update The North Shore Network will continue to facilitate collaboration between our communities, stakeholders and provide a forum for regional economic development practitioners to meet, exchange ideas, explore best practices and remain informed about current opportunities as they emerge.

Small Business Week October 21-25, 2019 Superior North CFDC sponsored a radio advertising campaign on CFNO-FM & advertised in three regional newspapers promoting shop local and promoting small business in the Superior North Region. The advertisements were voiced in English and French. Superior North CFDC held an open house in Manitouwadge during small business week. Christine & Erinn were in the community for 2 days at the recreation centre where they met with a number of local residents to discuss possible business ventures and business expansions.

2019 Annual Report

TOURISM Tourism is an important economic sector for the Superior North region. Superior North CFDC was involved in two significant tourism projects in 2019. Regional Tourism Initiative This project was initiated to create a destination that visitors want to travel to, spending time and money. Work together as a region to increase tourism, identify product development, leverage partnerships, increase communications and have the support of a regional tourism coordinator. Funding was applied for in 2019 with the plan to start up in the spring of 2020. Once funding is confirmed the task of bringing together a steering committee from the represented organizations with the first step in the process will be the hiring a tourism coordinator. The partners in the project include:

 FedNor  Destination Northern Ontario  Parks Canada National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA)  Superior Country  Superior North CFDC  Nipigon  Red Rock Indian Band  Schreiber  Terrace Bay  Manitouwadge  Red Rock  Terrace Bay  Manitouwadge  Red Rock

Casque Isles Trail Promotional Video and Marketing Campaign The regional tourism project is a joint venture with Superior Country, Casque Isles Trail Group and Parks Canada. The project involved the development of the promotional video(s) for the Casque Isles Hiking Trail (CIHT) and to complete the project in time for the 2020 tourist season. All three communities that are connected by the CIHT will benefit from the promotion of the CIHT with video footage being taken in each section of the trail. Maps and brochures will be updated to highlight the relationships of the region to Lake Superior and the National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Superior Country and Superior North CFDC will also be recognized on CIHT maps and brochures. The project has three components; completed videos, online presence and the marketing campaign. Superior North CFDC was a funding partner to ensure that the entire project was complete in both official languages. This unique trail stretching from Rossport through Schreiber and on to Terrace Bay will assist in attracting visitors.

2019 Annual Report

PARTNERS Collaboration with partners within our region allows our staff to share this knowledge with each community to ensure access to information and provide assistance and resources to local groups and organizations. Superior North CFDC’s volunteer members and staff also participate in many local economic development organizations. We provide information on our services to these groups, attend regional meetings and bring these partner’s information back to our clients. We would like to thank these organizations for their collaboration as we assist the communities and grow capacity together. In 2019, our partners included:

 Aboriginal Business Development Program  Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario  Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)  Community Futures Ontario  Head Start in Business  Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area  Manitouwadge Learning Centre  Marathon and District Chamber of Commerce  Marathon Economic Development Corporation  Métis Development Fund  Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)  Superior Country  North of Superior Workforce Planning Board  Northwest Employment Works  Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre  Parks Canada  PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise  Réseau Du Nord  Thunder Bay Entrepreneur Centre  Top of Lake Superior Chamber of Commerce  Tourism Northern Ontario

2019 Annual Report

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES Superior North CFDC has partnered with Head Start in Business by sponsoring several of their programs and assisting in the delivery of various camps and activities. Head Start in Business has been a driving force in entrepreneurship awareness and initiation for the past 17 years. Over 40,000 youth have participated in its innovative and experiential programs making entrepreneurship more accessible and realistic as a viable career option.

Mission Head Start in Business is a Pan-Northern Community Futures Development Corporation project that encourages youth to explore and expand their entrepreneurial potential while remaining in Northern Ontario.

What we love to do •Deliver consistent bilingual experiential programming aimed at introducing the concept of entrepreneurship as a viable career option to youth (4 to 34). •Bridge the gap between thinking about starting a business and actually starting one. •Connect young people at an early age to their communities and encourage them to seek innovative solutions to the problems they see. •Stem the effects of youth out migration Erinn Nesbitt, was the local program coordinator until May 2019. Erinn she was based out of Superior North CFDC, where she worked with schools and community organizations to offer various programs to youth in the Superior North and Greenstone regions. Superior North CFDC staff assisted with the delivery of programming, provided financial support and participated in the judging of regional contests. Terry Wright took over her position and works out of the Tourism Information Centre in Nipigon where he continues to deliver the same amazing programs in our region.

2019 Annual Report

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES The Superior North CFDC region is not only rich in natural resources but also in cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. The Government of Canada and Superior North CFDC are committed to enhancing and supporting the development of official language minority communities (OLMC’s), celebrating French cultural heritage and to fostering full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.

Our bilingual staff is available to assist clients with public forms and information that is available in both official languages. Our website, including the Superior North Spotlight business directory, are completely bilingual. Additionally, we continue to provide resources in both French and English.

During 2019, Superior North CFDC was involved in several francophone activities. During the year the bilingual Business Development Officer attended the inaugural event/open house for Conseil de la coopération de l'Ontario, the Cooperation Council of Ontario. This new organization with Operations Manager – Paula Haapanen in Thunder Bay, who will work with Francophones developing cooperatives and social enterprises. Together with the Francophone Immigration Network and Immigration (Réseau en immigration francophone), Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we hope to gain and better understand the services available to the Francophone population and how becoming a welcoming community and attracting Francophone individuals to a community benefits the local economy. In June, Erinn attended the Franco- Ontarian Flag raising ceremony at the Visitor Information Centre in Terrace Bay in celebration of the local Francophone community. Superior North CFDC is an active member of AFNOO and has purchased space for advertising in editions of AFNOO’s magazine Le Relais and on their website in order to connect with the francophone community in the region. Erinn has also assisted Club francophone du lac Supérieur with many community initiatives. She assists with maintaining our website, ensuring that all content is presented in both official languages as per our agreement with FedNor and the Official Language Action Plan. Superior North CFDC will continue to take the needs and priorities of official language minority communities into account when designing and implementing CFDC activities.

2019 Annual Report

COMMUNICATIONS Superior North CFDC considers its website a key communications tool for the organization. The website has been updated in 2019, with numerous additions added throughout the year. Our website can be found at sncfdc.org.

The website serves as “information central” for regional clients including information on all aspects of small business, financing for small business and funding opportunities for economic development projects.

Our monthly newsletter, featuring information about employee satisfaction, networking, customer service and more, can be viewed on our website sncfdc.org with links to back issues. The newsletter is available in both official languages.

Since launching our social media platforms, Facebook in 2016 and Twitter in 2017, Supe rior North CFDC has increased its visibility locally and across the region by posting regional events and activities relevant to its clients and communities. It also provides an opportunity to build on existing partnerships and create new ones by posting and sharing information. In 2019, 41 posts were added to our Facebook page, with a total audience of over 8,000 people.

2019 Annual Report

SPECIAL EVENTS Five-year Funding Announced for Superior North CFDC. A FedNor investment of $1.7 million in the Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation (SNCFDC) will ensure that entrepreneurs looking to start a business or take their existing businesses to the next level find the assistance they need. Specifically, the funding is supporting the SNCFDC’s ongoing operations for the next five years. As a result, the organization will provide small businesses and community organizations with advisory services, technical support and access to capital throughout its designated service area, which stretches from Dorion to Manitouwadge.

Top of Lake Superior Marathon & District Chamber Business Awards Chamber Business Awards

Superior North CFDC staff, Board and members were present at two Chamber of Commerce events in 2019. These included the Top of Superior Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala in Nipigon and the Marathon and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala.

2019 Annual Report

SUPERIOR NORTH SPOTLIGHT Superior North CFDC continued to expand and improve the regional business directory in order to market the region to the world.

This online marketing tool is a database of listings for local businesses and organizations. The listings include municipalities, community groups, schools, churches, businesses, tourism operators, events and ‘to-dos’ for the region. This directory is intended to share information amongst Superior North residents; give a regional overview to site selectors; and incite tourists to visit, play, stay and invest in our great region. Superior North CFDC staff continued to support this tool with 218 listings added or updated.

Superior North Spotlight has its own search tool so that visitors can search by business name or listing category. For many businesses located in the Superior North CFDC region, this profile allows entrepreneurs a free web presence and an opportunity to advertise regionally with their business information and services provided.

Superior North Spotlight - Supérieur Nord en Lumière

The most comprehensive online directory for Ontario's North of Superior region, brought to you by Superior North Community Futures Development Corporation.

Communities • Dorion (19) • Hurkett (10) • Manitouwadge (97) • Marathon (145) • Nipigon (130) • Pays Plat First Nation (11) • Pic River First Nation (18) • Red Rock (37) • Red Rock Indian Band (15) • Rossport (22) • Schreiber (112) • Terrace Bay (143)

2019 Annual Report

APPENDIX 1

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Fund Balances

Consolidated Statement of Operations