Message from the Provincial Chairs
During 2009-2010, Community Futures organizations in western Canada responded to the economic downturn and the tightening of credit. Community Futures loans to entrepreneurs and established business during that year were at near record levels. The programs and services of Community Futures played a truly important role in Canada’s economic recovery strategy in the rural west.
2010-2011 also saw Community Futures’ support and programming shifting in order to concentrate more on outcomes that would directly lead to rural economic diversification. The REDI and RDI programs successfully built the knowledge of, and capacity for, economic diversification among the leaders, businesses and economic development communities in BC and Alberta. Project funding from these initiatives also led to the creation of business clusters and to the implementation of community-based projects with outcomes intended to lead directly to the economic diversification of rural western Canada.
At the same time, Community Futures throughout western Canada began planning the celebration of 25 years of successful program delivery. A major part of the anniversary celebration has been reflecting on program successes, and examining how Community Futures program delivery can be modernized for effective delivery for the next 25 years.
Community Futures in western Canada wants to thank Western Economic Diversification for its continued support of the delivery of our program. We also recognize the Community Futures volunteers and professional staff dedicated to growing and diversifying rural western Canada… one idea at a time.
 Rick JoyceBritish Columbia |
 Harry PrummelAlberta |
 Bill MatlockSaskatchewan |
 Dave Kendall Manitoba |
