Maria, June 12, 2024. — The SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs celebrated the organization’s 40th anniversary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 5, 2024 at the Microbrasserie Bistro La belle aventure de Bonaventure. Since 1984, it has injected more than $33 million into businesses and projects in the region, for $233 million in spinoffs in the community.

As part of the festivities surrounding the 40th anniversary, the president of the SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs, Charles Guérette, highlighted the implementation of a fruit tree planting project in collaboration with two community organizations in the region: the Source Alimentaire Bonavignon, in Maria, and the Collectif Aliment-Terre, in Paspébiac. Steps are also being taken for the Avignon West sector to carry out a similar project. This initiative will make it possible to plant different fruit trees in the collective and community gardens of these organizations. When mature, these trees will provide a variety of fruit to their beneficiaries. “As an SADC, our vision is to have a positive impact on the vitality of communities and the fruit tree planting project is our way of saying thank you to the community and leaving a positive legacy for years to come. In addition, we hope that this initiative will inspire others to join us and support the community ” he said.

During the year 2023-2024, more than $1.5 million was injected into the community by the organization in the three main lines of business of the SADC: financing, technical assistance to businesses and support for local economic development. Altogether one hundred and one (101) interventions were deployed and supported by the SADC team over the past year, generating economic spinoffs of more than $11.9 million.

This year concludes with the end of the five-year agreement with Canada Economic Development. In terms of funding, it is important to highlight the renewal of the agreement with our funder for a new five-year period. This agreement will bring certain new features that will have a positive impact on the development of the territory’s businesses in terms of sustainable development, succession and digital development.

While many communities in Quebec are struggling to find business successors, the Baie-des-Chaleurs region is distinguished by a succession that is generally present. “The dynamism of business successions in the Baie-des-Chaleurs has allowed us to support the transition of several organizations. In fact, 44 projects have been completed in the last 5 years, compared to 23 projects for the previous 5 years, which represents almost double the number of projects,” says Executive Director Lyne Lebrasseur, who points out that the Youth Strategy program, which supports promoters aged 39 and under in their business projects, is particularly well suited to business succession cases.

For next year’s action plan, the SADC will work to integrate environmental, social and governance issues even more fully into its policies and file analysis process. It intends to promote responsible investments while offering sustainable development support. In addition, it will offer a 13th edition of the HR Symposium which will take place on November 6. These activities will be offered in continuity with financing, support and local development actions.

The SADC over the years

The SADC de Baie-des-Chaleurs has 211 members to contribute to the development of a vision for the future of its community and thus allows the creation, consolidation and development of businesses and employment in the region. Over the past 40 years, the organization has injected more than $33 million into the regional economy, generating nearly $233 million in spinoffs in the community. Info and Membership: sadcbc.ca

The full annual report is available at sadcbc.ca, under the “Annual Report” section, under “Your SADC”.

Highlights of the year 2023-2024

• More than 1.5 million invested
• 23 interventions in loans ($919,549), 78 in non-repayable contributions ($588,817)
• 30% acquisition projects
• 136 jobs supported
• $11.9 million in economic spinoffs
• 211 members

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Information and interview requests:

Charles Guérette, President, 418 788-5758 | charlesguerette@gmail.com

Lyne Lebrasseur, General manager, 418-759-1555, ext. 222 | llebrasseur@sadcbc.ca