The Atlantic Association of CBDCs launched Ambitions in the spring of 2023. The bilingual magazine showcases success stories of clients from across the rural Atlantic region.

As the world reopened post-COVID and we put away the masks and gloves, Ambitions magazine was something tangible to share at meetings, training sessions, tradeshows and more. It was nice to provide something people could enjoy with all their senses – the beautiful images, the touch of the pages between the fingers, the smell of fresh print and the taste of success.

Our powerhouse network of 41 Community Business Development Corporations, along with 4 Associations are proud to share the client testimonials in Ambitions which, in turn, tell our story, who we are, and what we do. The website is intended to help bring the magazine to the mobile and online audience and our flipbook (found at cbdc.ca/Ambitions) is for those who enjoy reading a full magazine online and still enjoy turning the pages.

Community Business Development Corporations assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs.

• Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Business counselling, help & advice is available to small businesses. We help businesses to succeed and therefore we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate.
• Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers is available in many of our offices.
• Technical assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies.

We are not-for-profit community-based organizations run by volunteers from the local business community who firmly believe in improving the economic viability of their communities.

OUR VOLUNTEER BOARD
Investment decisions are made by an independent Board of Directors sensitive to the needs of its community. The directors are volunteers from the business sector dedicated to helping make their community a better place in which to live and work.

The strength of the CBDCs is in our volunteer boards. They have an intimate knowledge of the local markets, the business environment and the people in their communities.