Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program Open for Business
Nova Scotia businesses will again have an opportunity to work with educational institutions to increase productivity and innovation, with support from the province.
The Department of Economic and Rural Development is providing up to $500,000 for the third year of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher program.
"Last year's voucher program saw tremendous success with over 30 vouchers being distributed to Nova Scotian businesses," said acting Minister of Economic and Rural Development, Ross Landry. "This program helps businesses make their operations more sustainable and competitive which maintains and creates good jobs, and grows the economy."
The voucher program provides small and medium-sized businesses up to $15,000, to obtain assistance from universities and colleges with applied research, engineering services, prototyping and field testing.
"Through the voucher program we gained valuable advice on patent searching, product distribution and business structure," said Peter Murchland of PrivacyWrap, a Halifax-based company that specializes in unique wind, sun and privacy screens. "Working with the experts at Dalhousie University we were able to take our businesses to the next stage of development."
A core objective of the program is to help build and strengthen linkages between small business and universities and colleges.
"The voucher program has been successful in connecting the province's business community to the expertise and research capacity within our universities," said Mark van de Wiel, director, Saint Francis Xavier Enterprise Development Centre. "St. F.X. hosts world-class expertise and facilities and has been pleased to have helped out on some very exciting small business projects through this program."
Businesses applying for program vouchers can get more information at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/pnivouchers/ . The deadline for applications is Sept. 10.
Funding for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program was allocated in the 2010-11 provincial budget.