To meet the diverse needs of rural businesses we offer financing of up to $150,000 to help meet your specific goals. Our business loans can support you in various ventures, including:

✅ Starting a new business

✅ Acquiring an existing business

✅ Expanding into new markets

✅ Opening a franchise

✅ Investing in technology

✅ Giving your business a much-needed facelift

Loans with Community Futures have 4 key benefits:

1. We want your business to succeed and help strengthen the region we live in.
2. Decisions are made locally for an efficient process.
3. Business counselling support for the duration of the loan.
4. No penalty to repay the loan early.

5 Secrets to Loan Qualifications

Loan Guidelines & Criteria

The applicant must…

✅ be a Canadian citizen of legal age, 

✅ complete a business plan to prove the viability of the business,

✅ invest 10% of the total funds required or 5% if the client is youth (18 - 34 years of age) and the loan is no more than $25,000, 

✅ pledge sufficient security to cover the debt, and

✅ take part in entrepreneurial training, if lacking in business experience.

The business must…

✅ operate within the Community Futures Winnipeg River office boundaries, and

✅ predominantly create or maintain jobs within the region.

The loan will…

✅ be a maximum of $150,000 per client and $25,000 for youth clients,

✅ be fixed at the Bank of Canada prime lending rate plus 3%, over a period normally of 5 years or less,

✅ not be granted for refinancing or agricultural purposes, and no more than 25% of loan proceeds can be used for operating funds.

 Loan Application Form

Contact Lindsey Otto, Business Development Coordinator to learn more at (204) 345-8691 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Loan Appeal Process

If a loan application is declined, the client will receive a written letter stating the decline reason(s). The client may appeal the decision through the following process:

1. Provide a written letter of appeal to CFWR with a formal request to reverse the decline decision along with corresponding rationale and supporting arguments. CFWR’s Investment Review Committee will review and respond back to the client by written letter.
2. The client may ask that a review be conducted by the CFWR Board of Directors if they are not satisfied with the response. Board will review and respond back to the client by written letter.
3. The client may request that a review be conducted by the CFIF Committee (provincial body) if they are not satisfied with the response. CFWR will forward the loan appeal and corresponding documentation to the CFIF Committee who in turn will review the appeal and provide clear, nonbinding recommendations to the applicant.