Rural Newfoundland and Labrador is filled with hidden gems, strong community spirit, and a rich and vibrant history that quietly unveils itself, capturing the imagination of visitors and residents alike. When she started the Green Bay Feed, owner Deb Cakes wanted to give a voice to the communities of her region and to shine a spotlight on its unique landscapes and vibrant people.

“When I launched the Green Bay Feed this past January, I wanted to provide a platform for the many smaller communities in this region. I wanted to highlight the enduring work of their volunteers, the town functions, and the beautiful and untouched natural environments hidden throughout Green Bay. There is so much fragmentation on the internet, with every group trying to compete for attention. I saw this as an opportunity for all local content to be captured in one place online so all residents can have an equal opportunity to share and find information about their communities.”

-       Deb Cakes, owner, Green Bay Feed

The Green Bay Feed provides an up-to-date snapshot of the communities in the Green Bay region including local news, ongoing fundraisers, local sports highlights, community and church events, and hiking trails. The website, which is like a modern day town crier, aims to provide an online presence for small nonprofits or community organizations to spread the word about their activities and opportunities for residents. www.greenbayfeed.com  

During the initial startup phase of the Green Bay Feed, Deb worked with her local Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) to secure funding and seek guidance and coaching on how to take her entrepreneurial idea and turn it into a reality.

“One of the primary goals of the CBDC is to support local entrepreneurs as they try to turn a vision into a tangible business. There are countless opportunities available to people to realize their dreams of being their own boss. Our organization supports business owners with funding for startup, business plan development, and the basic fundamentals of starting and maintaining a successful enterprise. It is people like Deb Cakes, who have an entrepreneurial spirit and social investment in their communities, who are helping drive our rural economies.”

-       Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs

During the 2016-17 fiscal year, CBDCs in Newfoundland and Labrador have disbursed more than $20 million to help start, maintain and modernize small businesses throughout the province. Over the past year, this funding has helped leverage an additional $14.5 million in funding from other sources and to create and maintain more than 860 jobs. In the Baie Verte region, CBDC provided more than $1.7 million to businesses, resulting in the creation of 25 new jobs and helping to maintain 37 existing positions.

CBDCs provide a variety of services to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses including financial assistance opportunities, business counselling and advice, entrepreneurship development and training, technical assistance, and advocacy.