Community Futures Oxford has Helped 34 Local Businesses During the Pandemic

Thursday, 1 April 2021 12:45

Community Futures Oxford has helped 34 local businesses with a total of nearly $1.4 million through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.

OXFORD COUNTY - Community Futures Oxford has now supported 34 local businesses through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund.

Since the pandemic hit, these businesses have been given just under $1.4 million dollars in total to help mitigate COVID-19 impacts. General Manager Allan Simm says this money was like a lifeline to a lot of businesses struggling to stay afloat right now.

"Community Futures Oxford has worked diligently to connect our local businesses with the support and resources they need to weather this pandemic. We are grateful for the opportunity to deliver the RRRF program in Oxford County while also recognizing the resilience of our business community. We wish to thank businesses for their ongoing efforts to keep the community safe while they work hard to keep their businesses and our local economy moving."

Yesterday they shared a video, which you can see above, featuring local entrepreneurs who have benefited from this program. They include Udderly Ridculous, 1909 Culinary Academy and Highlander Studios.

Founder of Udderly Ridulous Inc. Cheryl Haskett says this money helped them stay in business.

"The CFDC supported us when we were looking to expand, then COVID hit and we were able to utilize those funds to not only stay in business, but pivot for the future. The team has been incredible to work with and understand not just small business and entrepreneurs, but also the region and the diverse opportunities that can come out of it with a bit of support."

After just one year in business, the pandemic made it impossible to use the normal channels for getting a new product on grocery store shelves: large events where customers could taste test and food conventions where grocery store buyers learn about new products on the market. With funding from the RRRF, Udderly Ridculous was able to pivot and focus on small, independent wholesalers and markets while also looking to the future sustainability of her business. In late 2020, Cheryl was a finalist in the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab’s Spark program giving her the mentorship and resources to develop an on-farm experiential tourism product as a new revenue stream for Udderly Ridculous.