Small businesses in rural and remote communities across Canada are set to benefit from a major federal investment aimed at increasing access to financing and entrepreneurial support. On October 15, 2025, Small Business Minister Rechie Valdez announced the launch of a new $100-million partnership fund in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, alongside South Shore–St. Margarets MP Jessica Fancy, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), and the Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
The initiative, designed to strengthen rural entrepreneurship, is expected to empower thousands of small businesses struggling to access traditional loans and financial services.
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A New Partnership for Rural Growth
The federal government’s new $100-million initiative will connect the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) with Community Futures and Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) — organizations that specialize in supporting rural entrepreneurs.
Together, they will help businesses that often face limited financing options due to location, smaller markets, or insufficient collateral. The program is aimed at the more than 520,000 small businesses operating in rural and remote communities across the country.
Minister Valdez highlighted the importance of this new collaboration in her announcement:
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and that’s especially true in rural Nova Scotia. This new partnership builds on our government’s decisive action to support small businesses through tariff relief and investment.”
How the Fund Will Work
Under the new program, rural small business owners will gain improved access to loans, mentorship, and business development tools. The fund will be administered through the BDC in partnership with local Community Futures and CBDC networks, ensuring that support reaches businesses on the ground.
The approach combines financial capital with hands-on guidance, offering entrepreneurs both the money and the mentorship needed to grow sustainably.
BDC President Isabelle Hudon emphasized the significance of the initiative:
“We believe every entrepreneur deserves a fair chance to grow their business. This initiative allows us to go where others don’t and build bridges where gaps exist.”
Supporting Communities That Need It Most
Many rural entrepreneurs face unique challenges — from smaller markets to fewer financial service providers. The new fund is specifically designed to close these gaps and create pathways to business success in places that have historically been underserved.
Troy Dungate, President of Community Futures, noted that local organizations will play a crucial role in distributing funds effectively:
“This commitment, combined with our boots-on-the-ground knowledge, ensures this capital infusion reaches new and existing entrepreneurs ready to take their business to the next level.”
By leveraging community-level expertise, the program aims to ensure that funding decisions are informed by local needs and opportunities.
Building on Previous Federal Business Initiatives
The $100-million fund builds upon several recent federal measures designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stay competitive amid changing economic conditions. These include:
- BDC loans of up to $5 million for business expansion and innovation.
- A $5-billion Strategic Response Fund to support industries facing trade or supply chain pressures.
- A $1-billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative providing flexible, non-repayable contributions to SMEs impacted by tariff adjustments.
Together, these measures represent a broader government effort to strengthen Canada’s small business ecosystem, particularly in non-urban regions.
Local Impact in Nova Scotia and Beyond
South Shore–St. Margarets MP Jessica Fancy emphasized how meaningful the initiative will be for Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs.
“Across the South Shore and St. Margarets Bay region, entrepreneurs are creating jobs and keeping our rural communities vibrant. This new initiative will make sure they have the financing and support they need to keep growing.”
The announcement came just days before Small Business Week (October 19–25, 2025), a national celebration of Canadian entrepreneurship. The timing underscores the federal government’s recognition of the critical role small businesses play in driving job creation, innovation, and community development across the country.
A Step Toward Inclusive Economic Growth
By partnering federal institutions like BDC with grassroots organizations such as CBDCs, the $100-million fund aims to create a more inclusive and accessible business financing landscape. It reflects a growing understanding that sustainable economic growth depends on ensuring all Canadians — including those in rural and remote communities — have equal access to opportunity.
Minister Valdez summarized the program’s purpose succinctly:
“This fund is about fairness and opportunity. Every entrepreneur, no matter where they live, should have the tools they need to succeed.”