CBDC Westmorland Albert - Annual Report 2024-25

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From left to right, top to bottom: Marc-André Thériault, Project Analyst; Melissa Watters, Loan & Accounting Administrator; Rick Nicholson, Business Development Seminar Coordinator; Jocelyne Brown, Project Analyst; Michel Gallant, Project Analyst; Myriam Sonier, Project Analyst; Nathalie Gallant, Executive Director; Bernice Clements, Administrative Assistant.

CBDC Westmorland Albert Driving Local Impact Toge

CBDC Westmorland Albert is committed to fostering economic growth and ensuring efficient resource distribution across Westmorland and Albert counties by strengthening local expertise. Our key decisions are guided by a dedicated volunteer board of directors, comprised of local business and community leaders who bring valuable insight and experience to our mission.

Creating Local Jobs: Over the past year, CBDC Westmorland Albert helped to create or maintain 114 jobs in the community by delivering our loan programs. Supporting small businesses stimulates development and diversifies the local economy.

Leveraging Local Resources: Since the beginning of 2023, CBDC Westmorland-Albert has been administering the Impact Loan Program in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview. It continued to be a popular throughout the past fiscal year, complementing other CBDC offerings available to entrepreneurs in these three municipalities. We also participated in the Hire for Talent program, recruiting businesses to participate in surveys and focus groups. The program aims to increase employer awareness about people with disabilities being a talented part of the workforce. CBDC Westmorland Albert is also deeply engaged in the local business community, proudly holding membership to the five local Chambers of Commerce and sponsoring their annual entrepreneurship galas.

Improving Quality of Life: CBDC Westmorland Albert is proud to participate in the Southeast Labour Market Partnership. Forging closer ties with local organizations and municipal authorities helps shape an economy that reflects the uniqueness of our community and considers the services required for small business development.

Maintaining Rural Populations: The local population is becoming more diverse, with an increasing number of newcomers applying for loan programs and contributing to the local economy. While inflation continues to impact Canada as a whole, Westmorland and Albert counties remain attractive destinations, offering strong opportunities for growth. The region’s youth also remain optimistic about the future and see entrepreneurship as a viable career path. Recognizing the importance of fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs, CBDC Westmorland Albert has provided significant financial support to young business owners and actively promotes entrepreneurship in schools. Beyond financial support, CBDC Westmorland Albert plays a vital role in the community, backing a variety of initiatives and events throughout the year.

Fostering

Cooperation and Solidarity: CBDC Westmorland Albert is committed to supporting organizations that keep community interests at heart. Through the Social Enterprise Loan, we were able to support a farmers and artisan market cooperative. This project combines entrepreneurship with community, creating a gathering space and giving farmers and creators a space to sell their wares. As part of our annual activities, we sponsored nearly a dozen projects and organizations in our community.

Key Business Sectors in 2024-2025

CBDC Westmorland Albert has observed a significant rise in entrepreneurship among newcomers, whether they come from other Canadian provinces or abroad. Drawn by the quality of life offered in the Maritimes, these entrepreneurs, coming from diverse backgrounds and cultures, are energizing the local economy through their skills, creativity, and strong desire to contribute to their new community.

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

Number of business counselling sessions

Number of clients

Training sessions

Number of participants

Amount granted

Applications approved

Value of assistance

Number of clients

Amount granted

Applications received Applications

Building strong entrepreneurial leverage in the

Westmorland Albert region

Total value of assistance from the CBDC and financial leverage over the past five years

CBDC Westmorland Albert doubled its financial leverage in 2024–2025, reflecting growing confidence from financial partners and the expanding reach of its initiatives.

Number of applications approved for each CBDC loan product

Breakdown of amounts disbursed per loan product (in millions of dollars)

Once again this year, young and first-time entrepreneurs account for over 56% of approved loans, clear indicator that the next generation of entrepreneurs continues to turn to CBDC Westmorland Albert.

The number of businesses who received financial assistance over the past five years

With 39 projects funded in 2024–2025, CBDC Westmorland Albert is expanding its support for established businesses while maintaining its commitment to new start-ups.

Jobs created and maintained in the community over the last five years

The 2024–2025 fiscal year stands out with a significant increase in job creation, generating 63 new positions, the highest number in the past five years.

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.

Impact Loan Program

Low-interest loans up to $25,000 for Greater Moncton businesses (Moncton, Dieppe & Riverview).

Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) Program*

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.

Business Development Seminar*

Seminar to enhance your business skills such as marketing, finance, and operations.

*SEB and BDS are funded by the Government of Canada and the Province on New Brunswick through the Canada-New Brunswick Labour Market Agreements

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