The Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation (the "PRCDC") is proud to announce the launch of the Strategic Territorial Positioning Project of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Funded through the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade's Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP), this project aims to reinforce the capacity of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the "UCPR") to face the economic disruptions caused by the tariff barriers and trade restrictions imposed by the United States, particularly in the sectors of manufacturing, agri-food, and transportation. These disruptions have shed light on the vulnerability of rural regions such as ours, historically dependent on transborder markets and supply chains.
The Trade-Impacted Communities Program helps communities and local industries in Ontario navigate significant economic challenges caused by U.S. trade disruptions. It supports local projects that align with Ontario’s key economic priorities:
- Economic resiliency: projects that strengthen competitiveness and build local opportunities for economic growth;
- Supply-chain diversification: projects that support Ontario’s strategic priority sectors and their supply chains, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, life sciences, technology, critical minerals, forestry, and agri-food; and
- Trade partnerships: projects that increase export and investment to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
Over the next 24 months, the PRCDC will implement a regional strategy to support small and medium-size businesses affected by the tariffs. To meet these challenges, the project proposes to implement three structuring levers:
- A strong, consistent territorial brand, which will improve the UCPR’s positioning on the provincial, national, and international scales as a destination for investment, relocation, and expansion for industries affected by the instability of commercial trade;
- A bilingual website with an interactive map of commercial and industrial properties, providing accessible, up-to-date data for investors to support rapid, transparent, pro-Ontario decision-making; and
- The integration of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to allow for professional monitoring of existing businesses and new investment opportunities, particularly those arising from supply chains seeking to deploy outside the United States.
“Our businesses in Prescott and Russell have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of the economic challenges created by tariff barriers. Through this investment, our government is providing the PRCDC with the tools it needs to attract new investment, strengthen our regional economy, and help local entrepreneurs seize new opportunities for growth,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. “I am proud to see our region benefit from an initiative that will help ensure its long-term prosperity.”
“I am grateful that this initiative will make it possible to support many businesses in our region. We are lucky to have many small and medium-sized businesses in Prescott and Russell, but rural regions can be vulnerable to certain challenges; so, it’s important to continue supporting our entrepreneurs and to help them adapt to a changing economic environment. Afterall, our businesses are central to our social and economic development. They are key drivers of economic diversification, productivity, and resiliency. They also enhance social inclusion, equitable growth, and innovation; so, thank you to the PRCDC for their ongoing support of our businesses, and thank you to MPP Stéphane Sarrazin and to the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for the funding that made this project possible,” said Mario Zanth, 2026 UCPR Warden and Mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland.
“The Ontario Trade Impacted Communities Program is a critical investment in the economic resilience of Prescott and Russell. The uncertainty created by U.S. tariffs has placed significant pressure on many of our small and medium-sized businesses—the employers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our local economy. This funding will help our communities respond proactively by attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses as they adapt, innovate, diversify their markets, and strengthen their long-term competitiveness, » confirmed Patrick Brousseau, Chairperson of the PRCDC.
Thanks to this initiative, the support from the Government of Ontario, and the UCPR's support, the PRCDC reaffirms its commitment to supporting workers, entrepreneurs, and employers in Prescott and Russell by focusing on innovation, skills development, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification.
This initiative stems from the 18-month pilot partnership between the UCPR and the PRCDC in order to carry out five priority actions of the 2024–2029 Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.
About the PRCDC
The PRCDC is part of the 267 CFDC offices across Canada and is a federally supported not-for-profit organization with a mandate to promote business development and job creation, as well as to strengthen the rural economy. The PRCDC has been contributing to the economic, social, and community development of Prescott and Russell for over 40 years. The organization supports individuals, businesses, and regional partners in creating a dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous living environment.