CBDC Northumberland: Where Community and Entrepreneurship Grow
CBDC Northumberland works to strengthen local expertise, improve resource distribution and drive economic growth in New Brunswick’s largest county. Guided by a Board of Directors composed of business and community leaders, our decision-making process is rooted in local knowledge and leadership.
Creating Local Jobs: Over the past year, CBDC Northumberland has helped to create and maintain 120 local jobs This year has leaned heavily towards job maintenance and helping entrepreneurs to expand their workforce, a sign that our small and medium businesses are firmly rooted in the local economy
Improving Quality of Life: Through CBDC Northumberland, the Self-Employment Benefit Program provides training and support to aspiring entrepreneurs who are currently unemployed. This program is often crucial to the business’ success, allowing them to build clientele and secure their footing in their chosen field in their first year of operation. The success of clients in this program helps to diversify our community business landscape, improving the quality of life not only for entrepreneurs, but also the community at large. Many successful clients of this program have returned for support from our CBDC to expand their business operations and workforce.
Embracing Cooperation and Solidarity: CBDC Northumberland continues to provide its Social Enterprise Loan to support non-profit organizations and social enterprises in the Greater Miramichi region We are committed to supporting non-profits and social enterprises through our various programs to help our community thrive
Leveraging Local Resources: Our staff are proud to partner with NBCC Miramichi campus, highlighting opportunities and providing business start-up advice to the next generation The partnership has continued to grow, with CBDC Northumberland becoming more involved with business-related activities at the school Our participation has helped us build relationships with students who seek CBDC support and services to start their own business after graduation Tying in with these efforts, staff members sit on the Economic Development and Labour Force Advisory Committee and the Population Growth Committee at the Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission. These initiatives support our missions of job creation and community workforce growth.
Supporting
Rural Communities: CBDC Northumberland believes in the power of entrepreneurship to keep young people in our rural communities. We strive to reach out to aspiring young entrepreneurs to help make their dreams a reality CBDC Northumberland sponsored the Young Entrepreneur Award at the Greater Miramichi Chamber of Commerce Gala this year, presented to New Tide Counselling & Consulting We also sponsored numerous community organizations and initiatives throughout the year
Pauline Tenass Executive Director
Karinne Savoie Administrative Assistant
Lucie Daigle Project Analyst
Madison Young Project Analyst
Alexa Henderson Project Analyst
Message from the Vice-Chairperson
As Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CBDC Northumberland, I would like to take the time to thank our staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication that contributed to another successful year I am pleased to provide you, the members of the Corporation and the general public with a summary of the Corporation’s accomplishments over the past fiscal year, demonstrating its continuous support of the economic development of our region
CBDC Northumberland has had another very successful year fostering economic development in Northumberland County. At year-end for 2024–2025, our loan portfolio stands at $9,233,644, with 136 loans managed Below are the highlights of how this year’s funding was allocated:
35 loan applications were approved, totalling $2,245,150
As of March 31, 2025, $2,045,150 in CBDC funding has been disbursed into the community.
11 clients were approved for the SelfEmployment Benefit Program, with a total value of assistance of $192,500.
$152,790 was invested in training programs for local entrepreneurs
25 new jobs were created, and 95 existing jobs were maintained within the community as a direct result of our assistance.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of CBDC Northumberland, I would like to congratulate Pauline and her team for the hard work and dedication they have shown to CBDC Northumberland and the business community over the past year. The accomplishments of the Corporation are a direct reflection of the time and effort that the entire staff puts into their work daily, and they show that they are genuinely passionate about the economic development of Northumberland County.
I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for their support, dedication and volunteer efforts they have shown over the past year Your dedication to the Corporation and its continued success is unmatched
Monique “Niki” Breau, Vice-Chairperson
Message from the Executive Director
It is with great pleasure that I present our 39th annual report to everyone. CBDC Northumberland was established in November 1985; thus, we are celebrating 39 years of operation!
Our team’s focus has continued to be on supporting the entrepreneurs of Northumberland County We at CBDC Northumberland have exceeded our mandate by approving $2,245,150 in investments through our loan products in the past year, thus creating and maintaining 120 jobs. As of March 31, 2025, our loan portfolio amounted to $9,233,644.
In addition, CBDC, in collaboration with our partners, has provided business training opportunities to 32 entrepreneurs and offered employability market research opportunities to 23 entrepreneurs. We have worked closely with our community partners to ensure our services are tailored to the unique needs of our clients
This past year, the staff and I have made continued efforts to become more involved within our community. This can be seen through new volunteer efforts, fundraising, sponsorships, and partnerships with local organizations to continue to foster economic development and help drive positive change within our community
The last fiscal year has been satisfying in many ways, and we are undertaking the next fiscal year with determination and enthusiasm. We have within our reach all that is required for continued success: an excellent Board of Directors, a good working relationship with our partners, the general public, and the private sector throughout the region, and finally, the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well on the Miramichi.
I want to thank my team for their hard work, dedication, and determination over yet another successful year Without their commitment to CBDC Northumberland, the Corporation would not have achieved the level of success it did in the past year.
Finally, I extend many thanks to the Board of Directors for the guidance, support, time, and dedication they have provided to me and the Corporation over the years. They are fundamental to the Corporation; they are true leaders.
Pauline Tenass, Executive Director
Our Board of Directors
Monique “Niki” Breau Vice-Chairperson
Kevin E Russell Treasurer
George H Ginnish Secretary
Brett Gallant
Scott Allison
Marcel Muise Director
Photo credit: Brett Francis
Philippe Allain Director
Key Business Sectors in 2024-2025
Transportation: $318,000 in loans disbursed
Accommodations & Food Services: $245,000 in loans disbursed
Retail: $223,000 in loans disbursed
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Training sessions
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Number of clients
Self-Employment Benefit (SEB)
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Consultant Advisory Services
Number of clients
Amount granted
Photo credit: Edna Moorhouse
Building strong entrepreneurial
leverage in the Northumberland region
Total value of assistance from CBDC Northumberland and financial leverage over the past five years
With $2 0 million in assistance disbursed in 2024–2025, CBDC Northumberland maintained a strong financial leverage of $3 3 million, demonstrating the continued ability to multiply its impact.
Number of applications approved for each CBDC loan product Breakdown of amounts disbursed per loan product (in millions of dollars)
Youth and first-time entrepreneurs accounted for 44% of loan disbursements in 2024–2025, confirming continued interest in launching new ventures.
Number of businesses who received financial assistance over the past five years
While 2024–2025 saw a decrease compared to last year’s peak, the number of businesses assisted remains significantly above the five-year average, reflecting steady entrepreneurial activity in the region
Jobs created and maintained in the community over the last five years
CBDC Northumberland continues to show strong performance compared to pre-2022 levels, demonstrating sustained economic development in the region.
CBDC Programs and Services
Who We Are
CBDCs are not-for-profit organizations run by volunteers from the local business community who firmly believe in improving the economic viability of their region. There are 41 CBDC offices in Atlantic Canada dedicated to the development of small businesses and assisting entrepreneurs in accessing financing and other business training and resources.
What We Do
Our objective is to help build stronger communities in Atlantic Canada by stimulating private sector employment in our rural areas. CBDCs work throughout rural Atlantic Canda in the creation, expansion and modernization of small and medium sized businesses.
What We Offer Entrepreneurs
General Business Loan
Designed to assist entrepreneurs when traditional avenues of financing are not available, for either creating, purchasing or succession planning
First-Time Entrepreneur Loan
Targeted financing for the first-time entrepreneurs starting or purchasing their first business
Youth Loan
Tailored solutions for young entrepreneurs aged from 18 to 34 that are interested in starting, expanding or modernizing their business.
Innovation Loan
Assist in the development of the knowledge-based economy, the adaptation and commercialization of technology.
Social Enterprise Loan
Tailored financing designed to assist social enterprises.
Self-Employment Benefit (SEB)*
Provides financial and coaching support to new entrepreneurs during the planning and start-up phase of their new business.
Business Counselling
Business counselling in the form of advice to new and established entrepreneurs
Consultant Advisory Services
Available to small and medium-sized business, as well as non-for-profit organization, to access technical and financial assistance by engaging consultants to assist them in various topics.
Skills Training
Tailored trainings in specialized areas such as marketing development, bookkeeping, feasibility studies and business analysis.
*The SEB Program is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-Provincial Governments Labor Market Agreements
