SADC Pontiac is a federally-funded economic development organization that works to “stimulate the local economy and promote business development in rural regions.” According to its brochure, SADC Pontiac serves business within the MRC Pontiac and the Municipality of Pontiac

Approximately 30 community members and entrepreneurs attended the event.

SADC Pontiac annual meeting had a celebratory tone, with Director General Rhonda Perry speaking to . . .

the organization’s successes over the past year. Noting the various investments and training initiatives being offered by SADC Pontiac, Perry spoke proudly about the organization’s staff team.

“Thank you for your commitment and for providing excellent client experiences to local entrepreneurs, partners, Board members and me,” Perry said.

SADC Pontiac hired Connelly & Koshy, a chartered accountant firm, to conduct an audit of the organization’s finances. Luc Imbeau, managing partner at the firm, spoke to the crowd regarding the state of SADC Pontiac fiscal position and painted a positive picture.

“In short, we would refer to this report as ‘clean or unmodified’ meaning that we didn’t find any anomalies,” Imbeau said.

According to the 2022-2023 annual report, SADC Pontiac issued $505,808 in business loans during the fiscal year. Of these, 50 per cent were for “expansion and modernization projects”, 40 per cent were for “business start-ups” and 10 per cent were for “business acquisition.”

SADC Pontiac’s annual report went on to say that the organization issued $291,800 in youth strategy loans. These loans, of up to $25, 000 each, are interest free for the first two years and are available for those between 18 to 29 years of age.

Of these youth strategy loans, 46 per cent were issued for “business start-up”, 38.5 per cent were issued for “expansion and modernization” and 15.5 per cent were issued for “business acquisition.”

Five youth strategy loans were issued within the agricultural sector, seven within service/commerce and one in tourism.

Aside from provided loans, SADC Pontiac also trumpeted some of their non-financial initiatives. These included two-day marketing strategy workshops and the development of promotional videos to showcase tourism potential within the region.

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