The Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation (PRCDC) began its 39th year with the election of Patrick Brousseau as Chairperson of the PRCDC Board of Directors for 2025-2026. During the Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, October 28, Francis Drouin was elected as Vice-Chairperson and Justine Blouin was elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
“The 2024-2025 fiscal year for the PRCDC was marked by significant achievements and promising momentum for the future of economic, tourism, and entrepreneurial development in Prescott and Russell,” Brousseau said.
“Our role as a key player and leader in economic development, in partnership with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), has revitalized our municipalities, organizations, and businesses, allowing us to reaffirm our strategic role and ensure the continuity of our mission in the communities we serve,” he added.
Brousseau continued be saying that with current economic uncertainties, the PRCDC remains present: on the ground, listening, and in constant dialogue with its partners to support entrepreneurs and organizations and guide them in their decisions.
Despite the rapid increase in interest rates and the constraints created by the persistent lack of labor and imposition of tariffs, optimistic entrepreneurs are continuing their investments. In 2024-2025, the PRCDC, through its investment fund, authorized nearly $2 million in loans and created more than 135 direct jobs in addition to contributing financially to more than 15 community economic development events with exceptional partners like three chambers of commerce, Desjardins and the UCPR. These 15 events brought together more than 1,500 people.
“Being the only regional economic development organization in Prescott and Russell, the PRCDC will continue to make fair and informed interventions and investments for the well-being of our communities and businesses in the Prescott and Russell region because it is the responsibility that we have as regional leaders,” said Drouin.
This year, in partnership with the UCPR, and many community partners, the PRCDC will continue the implementation of the 2 strategies which are the Regional Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029 and the Regional Tourism Strategy 2025-2030.
“The tourism and regional economic development strategies are essential and unavoidable to guide economic growth, promote stability and prosperity, and meet the needs and challenges of businesses and communities in Prescott and Russell,” said John Candie, Executive Director of the PRCDC.
These achievements would not be possible without the unconditional support of the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario.
