Northern Ontario was well represented at a recent Community Futures Ontario (CFO) conference, claiming two of the three winners during the organization’s Awards for Excellence presentation.
CFO recently held its 26th annual conference on in London, Ont., where it handed out Awards of Excellence in three categories.
Fromagerie Kapuskoise, a cheesemaker based in Kapuskasing, won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Launched four years ago by François Nadeau, the shop produces several varieties of artisanal cheese, which is sold on site and at locations across the North and southern Ontario.
The Northeast Superior Regional Broadband Network – a collective of stakeholders from across the Superior East region – received the Innovation Award.
The network, comprising representatives from participating First Nations, municipalities and economic development organizations in the region, is focused on building a broadband network in every community to improve economic growth, resiliency and improved access to health and education services.
The final award, for Community Economic Development, went to Saugeen Connects, in Saugeen, Ont. for its project addressing labour force development, entrepreneurship, youth and newcomer attraction, aging population, and succession planning.
Community Futures Ontario represents 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located across Ontario.
CFDCs provide support, financing and assistance with strategic planning for rural Ontario businesses.
