CBDC Péninsule acadienne: Collaboration for Community Growth
CBDC Péninsule acadienne is committed to strengthening local expertise to create wealth and distribute resources more effectively across the region. Our major decisions are facilitated by the volunteer efforts of our board members, all of whom are local business and community leaders.
Creating Local Jobs: CBDC Péninsule acadienne helped to create and maintain 289 jobs within the community in the past year. Support for small businesses stimulates local development and diversifies the economy.
Maintaining Rural Populations: Encouraging youth to stay in our community remains a priority for CBDC Péninsule acadienne. We support a number of youthfocused activities including the Réseau des Jeunes en Affaires de la Péninsule acadienne, which aims to introduce young entrepreneurs to the community and help them network through activities like after-work get-togethers. The annual Golfons en affaires event, a traditional business golf tournament hosted in collaboration with the region’s four chambers of commerce, also aims to attract and encourage young entrepreneurs. CBDC Péninsule acadienne also recognized the Young Entrepreneur and Women Entrepreneur of the year, presented at the 2024 Small Business Week banquet. See page 4 for more information on this event.
Fostering Cooperation and Solidarity: CBDC Péninsule acadienne is a proud supporter of cultural initiatives in our community. Through the Social Enterprise Loan, we supported a cultural organization, which is important to the community’s arts scene. Promoting Francophone culture in the Acadian Peninsula is an initiative close to the community’s heart.
Leveraging Local Resources: CBDC Péninsule acadienne is always seeking opportunities to partner on projects that align with our mission. We eagerly participated in a project to bring a business accelerator incubator to Northeastern New Brunswick during the past fiscal year. The initiative aims to help entrepreneurs starting businesses get their footing in the business world faster, with extra support. Our CBDC was also a proud partner of the Rendez-vous AcadieQuébec held in May 2024. The event was organized by the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, and supported in partnership between organizations dedicated to regional economic development.
Improving Quality of Life: Ensuring the vitality of our community is important to CBDC Péninsule acadienne. We play an active role with our local Regional Service Commission, on both the labour market partnership forum and the community development committee. We also serve on the community workforce development committee, tasked with exploring regional opportunities and challenges associated with green energy, alongside the Port of Belledune. The volunteer participation of our staff and board in these areas shows our commitment to engaging in long-term planning with a view to enhancing regional decision-making.
From left to right: Cindy Chiasson, Secretary-Receptionist, Anne Jean, Administrative Assistant, Joanne Breau, SEB Coordinator; Frédérick McGraw, Executive Director, Annette Landry, Administrative Assistant, Eric Robichaud, Business Account Manager and Annie-Claude Dugas, Development Officer.
Message from the President Message from the Executive Director
It is with a sense of accomplishment that I share with you my final message as President of the CBDC Péninsule acadienne, as I complete my three-year term in this role. Over the past few years, I have come to better appreciate the significant impact the CBDC Péninsule acadienne has on the region and its economic development.
The CBDC supports local entrepreneurs and meets their needs. Whether it’s during the startup, acquisition, expansion, or maintenance of their business, the CBDC is there, proudly providing financial and technical assistance.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the CBDC staff, who make the client their number one priority in their daily work. With the support of our partners, they guide clients in achieving their dreams and various projects. They are the face of our organization and admirably represent its vision and mission. This is all made possible under the leadership of our Executive Director, Mr. Frédérick McGraw, who inspires employees to go above and beyond every day.
I would also like to highlight the retirement of our Administrative Assistant, Annette Landry, after 37 years of dedicated service to the CBDC. She was hired at the very beginning of the organization, and as such, she has played a part in its evolution throughout all these years. Thank you so much, Annette, for your many years of valuable service to the CBDC, its clients, and its partners. The organization has made it to where it is today in part thanks to you, and we will always be deeply grateful.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment to the CBDC. Your diverse expertise and contributions are essential to the success of the CBDC, and we are fortunate to have such a strong group.
A special thank you to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), which provides financial support to the CBDCs, as well as to Working NB, for whom we administer the Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) program. Thank you to our provincial and Atlantic CBDC associations, the various levels of government, financial institutions, and all our other partners. Without your support, it would be impossible for us to achieve such excellent results.
Finally, I would like to thank the CBDC’s clients for their trust. Our goal is always to offer the best programs and services possible. Rest assured that the CBDC Péninsule acadienne will continue to play a key role in the economic development of our region, and its strength will ensure that we are able to serve you for many more years to come that, I am certain, will be just as remarkable.
Jacques Chiasson, President
It is with great enthusiasm that I present our annual report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the activities and achievements of the CBDC Péninsule acadienne over the past year. We can clearly see that the CBDC continues to have a major impact on the economic development of the Acadian Peninsula. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of businesses in the region and entrepreneurs who continue to work very hard to succeed. A new record was set in disbursed funds through our business loans, reaching over $5.5million.
Through the Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) Program, we helped 24 entrepreneurs start their business. In addition, we provided training and consulting services through various programs, representing a total investment of $158,195 in professional fees. These services, in the form of specialized consulting or advanced management training, were invested for the benefit of the region’s entrepreneurs. These businesses are seeking better management tools to increase their profitability and, in turn, the longevity of their operations.
We are also very involved in the community through various initiatives, and we are proud to have launched the new Future Entrepreneur program, which provides funding to youth aged 13 to 18 to plant the seeds of entrepreneurship. Another new program was launched to support participation in business accelerators, from which 13 companies from northeastern New Brunswick benefited. We are proud to have continued organizing activities for the Réseau des jeunes en affaires, helping to spotlight young entrepreneurs. Our annual awards banquet recognizing the Young Entrepreneur and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year was also a great success, as was our annual golf tournament, which brought together over 129 people. We also held our annual food drive to support local food banks.
I would like to thank the amazing CBDC team, who are deeply committed to our clients and make tremendous efforts every day to help as many businesses as possible. It’s truly remarkable and it’s a real pleasure to work with you all every day. I would like to highlight the retirement of Annette Landry, Administrative Assistant, after 37 years of service. She was a pillar throughout the years, and her contributions are invaluable. Her dedication to the success of the CBDC shows just how much she cared. Thank you so much, Annette, for 37 wonderful years as part of the CBDC family. You had a significant influence on many things in the office that will certainly carry on long after your departure. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Many thanks as well to our Board of Directors. Your volunteer involvement is crucial in ensuring good governance for the organization and in bringing your diverse knowledge and expertise, which are of great value.
Thank you to all our valued partners and collaborators. Your support is essential to the success of the CBDC and to building a stronger community.
Finally, a special thank you to our clients for your trust. You are our reason for being, and we wish you continued success, along with all the entrepreneurs and SMEs in the region. Keep up the amazing work in energizing our beautiful Acadian Peninsula.
Frédérick McGraw, Executive Director
Board of Directors
Réseau des jeunes en affaires de la Péninsule acadienne (RJAPA)
The RJAPA makes it possible to create a calendar of events, which aims to introducing businesses owned by young entrepreneurs from the Acadian Peninsula and to have them participate in activities where they can discuss their challenges and various topics of interests. The events are open to the general population. Created by the CBDC Péninsule acadienne in partnership with the region's chambers of commerce, Phénomène and the RDÉE, the RJAPA has been organizing business activities since 2005, such as an annual golf tournament, happy hours, breakfast-talks, in addition to a Young Entrepreneur and Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award banquet.
From left toright, Frédérick McGraw,Executive Director ofthe CBDC Péninsule acadienne,thewinner Josyane Brideau(Young Entrepreneur Award)and Jacques Chiasson, President oftheCBDCPéninsuleacadienne
From lefttoright,FrédérickMcGraw,Executive Directorofthe CBDC Péninsule acadienne,the winnerJanelle Comeau(WomanEntrepreneurAward)and Jacques Chiasson, President of the CBDCPéninsuleacadienne.
Nathalie Basque, Director
Isabelle Paulin, Director Martin Noël, Director
Louise Robichaud, Director Jacinthe Paulin, Director
Gérald Losier, Director KylaThériault,Director
Jacques Chiasson, President Jean-Eudes Duguay, Vice-President Monik Noël, Treasurer Paulette Robert, Secretary
Patrick Noël, Director
Key Business Sectors in 2024-2025
Wholesale and retail
Services Fisheries
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Training sessions
Number of sessions
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Number of business counselling sessions
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Photo credit: Mathieu Dupuis
Building strong entrepreneurial leverage in the Acadian Peninsula region
Total value of assistance from CBDC Péninsule acadienne and financial leverage over the past five years
CBDC contributions have shown steady growth over the past five years, reaching $5.5 million in 2024–2025, an increase of over 12% compared to the previous fiscal year.
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 almost 44% of approved loans in 2024–2025, highlighting their active role in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Number
of businesses who received financial assistance over the past five years
While fewer new start-ups were financed in 2024–2025, the overall number of businesses supported grew, reflecting sustained demand for support from established entrepreneurs.
Jobs created and maintained in the community over the last five years
The number of jobs created and maintained grew by 10% in 2024–2025, reflecting the continued success of the CBDC in fostering employment stability 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.
