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Impact
Assessment of Community Futures in Western Canada
People
working for and with Community Futures know they do good work; but how
good is it? What has been the real impact of Community Futures? Have
the funds and services that CFDCs distribute been put to good use? To
understand more fully the role of Community Futures in Western Canada,
together, the Pan-West group of Community Futures Associations in the
four western provinces hired an independent contractor, Ference Weicker
& Company, to assess the impacts and effects generated by Community
Futures Development Corporations in Western Canada. While it is widely
recognized that CFDCs have had a significant impact on their communities,
this is the first study that is designed to provide an objective, systematic
assessment of the nature and magnitude of those impacts across Western
Canada.
Please
click here
to find a PDF document containing an overview of the Impact of Community
Futures in Western Canada report compiled by Ference Weicker &
Company. Please download it and read the numerous results for yourself.
The positive impact of Community Futures articulated in the report
is proof that the hundreds of volunteers and professional staff working
for Community Futures are keeping the best interests of the community
in mind when committing themselves to Community Economic Development.
The major findings of the study regarding the impacts of CED activities
are as follows:
The relative emphasis placed by CFDCs on CED activities is increasing.
The
leadership and support provided by CFDCs have been critical to the
implementation of
CED projects in the regions.
The
CED projects selected have already generated some significant economic
impacts to
date including job creation, the development and maintenance of local
businesses, increased
revenues, and subsequent investment.
Currently, there are hundreds of CED projects in operation, out of
which 24 were selected for
case study. Of the 24 CED projects selected, 10 are still in the early
stages of implementation.
Most of the others have only started to generate impact and it can
be expected that those
impacts and effects will continue to expand in the coming months and
years. Even at this early
stage, the 24 CED projects have already resulted in the creation of
719 jobs, the development of
46 businesses, increased revenues of $4 million, and investment of
$2.2 million.
People
working for and with Community Futures know they do good work; but how
good is it? What has been the real impact of Community Futures? Have
the funds and services that CFDCs distribute been put to good use? To
understand more fully the role of Community Futures in Western Canada,
together, the Pan-West group of Community Futures Associations in the
four western provinces hired an independent contractor, Ference Weicker
& Company, to assess the impacts and effects generated by Community
Futures Development Corporations in Western Canada. While it is widely
recognized that CFDCs have had a significant impact on their communities,
this is the first study that is designed to provide an objective, systematic
assessment of the nature and magnitude of those impacts across Western
Canada.
