Canada/ SADC Arthabaska-Érable invests $1.6 M in the community

On Wednesday, the SADC Arthabaska-Érable held its annual general meeting in Victoriaville, at which the results for 2023-2024 were presented.

The organization, funded by Canada Economic Development, took the opportunity to announce investments approaching $1.6 million in its various service areas: business coaching, business financing, local development and sustainable development projects.

Supporting local businesses

Thanks to the SADC's personalized coaching service, 126 businesses were able to benefit from advice to ensure the success of their business projects, whatever their stage of life (start-up, consolidation, expansion). In terms of financing, 36 loans were granted over the past year, a record number for the SADC. Most of the investment, $1,020,125, came from the regular fund, while $352,000 was invested in the Stratégie jeunesse fund, which aims to stimulate entrepreneurship among young people aged 39 and under.

It should also be noted that, in order to support companies that were unable to benefit from the partial write-off of their loan under the Fonds d'aide et de relance régionaleaide et de relance régionale (FARR), SADC has decided to set a 0% interest rate for companies that will have to make a full repayment of their loan.

Even more sustainable development

In terms of community involvement, SADC has been more active this year in a sector where it has been less present: sustainable development. In fact, the organization ranks among the SADCs that have invested the most through the Virage vert program, with nearly $140,000 invested to accelerate the adoption of responsible practices by businesses. In response to growing demand for support in sustainable development, a new resource has been added to the team to offer more services in this area.

Promising projects for the region

Building on last year's momentum, the SADC stepped up its local development efforts, investing over $227,000 in community development projects by initiating three promising projects: Relève entrepreneuriale Arthabaska-Érable, which has enabled the organization to position itself as a key player in the field of entrepreneurship, followed by Développement de la filière canneberge and Maximisation des ressources des entreprises touristiques, which will all continue in the coming year.

A new agreement with Canada Economic Development

While 2023-2024 marked the conclusion of the five-year agreement between SADC and Canada Economic Development, 2024-2025 marks the beginning of a new agreement with its financial backer. SADC General Manager Jocelyn Grondin says he is "very pleased with the renewal of the agreement for the next five years, which will certainly enable us to fulfill our mission of contributing to the enrichment of the SADC community. the enrichment of the Arthabaska and L'Érable MRC communities, by accompanying and supporting projects that promote economic, social and environmental development".

This pivotal period is also marked by a wind of change within the Board of Directors. "We would like to extend our warmest thanks to our directors Jean Gagné and Alain Laroche, who have accumulated over 50 years of volunteer involvement with the SADC, and who are today completing their term of office," says Gaétan Lehouillier, Chairman of the Board. "And let's not forget the departure of Claude Courchesne, who has also been involved over the past few years," he added. The year 2024-2025 thus begins with the arrival of three new directors to fill the positions that have become vacant: Geneviève Vigneault (Gestimark), Mélanie Laperle (Violette Direction Marketing) and Jonathan Brière (Trépanfils).

About SADC Arthabaska-Érable

Founded in 1984, SADC Arthabaska-Érable's mission is to contribute to the enrichment of the Arthabaska and L'Érable MRC communities, by accompanying and supporting projects that promote economic, social and environmental development. The SADC offers a range of services, including business coaching and financing, and actively contributes to the vitality and dynamism of the community by initiating and supporting projects that promote entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Source: www.lanouvelle.net/