Province Invests in Business Technology Training in Shelburne

Businesses in Shelburne County can get some help using social media and websites to grow their business.

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism has invested $50,000 in the eSmart program, which trains and mentors small to medium sized businesses on how to increase productivity through business technology.

"Investing in our rural areas is important for growing our economy and helping our communities become more sustainable," said acting Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister John MacDonell. "This investment is an example of how jobsHere, our plan to grow the economy, is helping businesses and communities become more productive and competitive."

The eSmart program helps develop digital business strategies, improve operations, increase market exposure, and increase sales.

The training, offered by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, begins Thursday, Sept. 8.

"Growing a small business can be difficult, even in the best of times," said Dixie Redmond, executive director of Shelburne County Business Development Centre Ltd. " This program will open business owners' eyes to a whole new world of opportunities using technologies they might have been curious about, but haven't yet tried."

The training will also help prepare businesses interested in participating in the second phase of the eSmart program, Get Connected, which is led by the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship and begins in November. This phase runs for four months and includes a two-day technology growth workshop, followed by a series of online training sessions, and mentoring from a business coach.

"Get Connected helps businesses grow online by using low-cost digital tools they haven't previously considered," said Joel Stoddart, project manager for Get Connected and manager of business and non-profit development with Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship. "But it's not just about technology, it's about helping hardworking business owners get more of what they want from their business."

Funding for the program comes from the Community Development Fund, which assists regional areas and rural communities with local planning and entrepreneurship. It helps develop co-operatives and projects to ensure sustainable communities across Nova Scotia.