The Huron North Funder’s Forums

In April, the Elliot Lake and North Shore Corporation for Business Development (ELNOS) and the Huron North Community Economic Alliance (HNCEA) hosted four Funder’s Forum events across the Huron North region. Participants ranged from 15-40 in attendance for each evening from both businesses and community organizations. Funders varied at the events depending on their availability and service area. Overall, the events were successful and a follow-up survey completed by funders and attendees showed that the forums were rated at about 4.5 out of 5.

Those who responded to the survey found both the table conversations and the presentations to be useful. Almost everyone was able to get answers or assistance, and those that did not acknowledged the uniqueness of their project. All or most said that they would attend a similar event again with the exception of one community where a few people were less sure but would consider it. All attendees who responded felt that the timing of the forums were appropriate.

Attendees had very positive things to say about the events. The only ‘negative’ comments received were related to which funders were in each community as some wanted to see specific organizations. It is hoped that this issue might be resolved by spreading out the events throughout the year to make it more feasible for all funders to attend. Many people were surprised at how many supports there were for businesses in the region, so it was a great opportunity to raise awareness that there are a variety of agencies available to assist organizations in our little stretch of the north.  

Many productive conversations were had at the forum’s and some have already booked appointments with funders to get started on their projects. If you attended the forums and have a success story, we would love to hear it and share with others, so they can learn how the funding organizations might help them as well!

Thank you to all those who attended and completed the survey to provide this feedback. Thank you to our communities, venues, and sponsors: Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC); City of Elliot Lake Economic Development Office; Elliot Lake Moose Lodge; Town of Blind River; Echo Bay, and Town of Bruce Mines.

And of course thank you to all of the funders who participated in the forums: ELNOS; East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation (EACFDC); Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor); Ministry of Northern Development/Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC); Destination Northern Ontario; Millworks; Rural Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farming, & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA); PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise; Scotiabank; Royal Bank of Canada (RBC); Canadian Imperial Bank of Canada (CIBC); Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC); and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).