Province Celebrates Success of Business Development Program
NOTE: A complete list of company investments follows this release.
More than 35 small businesses in Nova Scotia are more competitive with help from the Nova Scotia Business Development Program.
The program encourages small business start-ups and helps existing businesses expand. A total of $250,000 was contributed to businesses in every region of the province this year.
"Helping businesses become more globally competitive, more innovative and to provide workers with the right skills for good jobs, will help grow the Nova Scotia economy," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "The Business Development Program, through jobsHere, is helping us achieve that goal."
Rebates for approved services are 50 per cent of costs, to a maximum of $10,000.
Pro Poly Cushioning Products started out as a single-product seat-cushion comfort line. It quickly diversified to meet a wider range of clients and markets and now produces everything from insoles to motorcycle seats to horse blankets.
"With the help of the business development program, we are able to greatly expand the market for our Yarmouth-based business," said Patrick Surette, owner, Pro Poly Cushioning. "The program allowed us to hire a consultant to help us develop and implement a comprehensive regional and national marketing plan."
The funds help businesses with things such as:
- improving operational efficiencies
- identifying new markets and commerce opportunities
- helping export internationally
- developing online marketing strategies
- business succession planning
- market research and business plan development
- advertising and promotional plans
- fiscal management tools
"With rapid industrial growth there is increasing reliance on safety training protocols," said Brian MacArthur, principal, Cape Breton Business College. "We saw an opportunity to develop a new program targeted at ensuring Nova Scotia workers are ready for major projects like the recently announced shipbuilding initiative in Halifax and the Lower Churchill energy project."
"The business development program funding is extremely helpful in enabling us to capitalize on this growth opportunity."
For more information on the Nova Scotia Business Development Program visit www.gov.ns.ca/econ/nsbdp/ .
Following is a list of companies, their location and the amount received from the Nova Scotia Business Development Program:
G.E. Collins and Sons, Amherst, $6,950 Canso Seafoods Ltd., Albert Bridge, $10,000 Street Eats, Country Harbour, $562.50 Big G's Pizza and Donair, Guysborough, $312.50 MacGregor's Custom Machining Ltd., New Glasgow, $5,890 Canaan Mountain Acres Ltd., Parrsboro, $9,600 Smith and Fraser Mobile Homes, Antigonish, $1,700 Justamere Café Limited, Antigonish, $5,500 River's Bend Wood Products Inc., Antigonish, $10,000 Athol Forestry Cooperative Ltd., Amherst, $4,175 Alchemy Holdings, New Glasgow, $1,250 Full Line Enterprises, Stewiacke, $499.99 Ground Loop Geothermal Systems, Westville, $1,500 Laughing Lobster Photography, Antigonish, $367.50 Word by Word Bookstore, Goshen, $1,775 N.F. Douglas and Company Ltd., Caledonia, $5,175 Nexus Media Incorporated, Chester, $6,000 Nova Plastics, Weymouth, $10,000 A.F. Theriault and Son Ltd., Meteghan River, $5,625 MacIntyre Purcell Publishing, Lunenburg, $2,640 Kenney and Ross Ltd., Port Saxon, $7,187.50 den Haan Enterprises Ltd., Middleton, $7,500 La Pointe Seafood, Church Point, $8,860 Pro Poly Cushioning, Yarmouth, $10,000 Marcato Digital Solutions, Sydney, $10,000 Poirier's Burner Service Ltd., Cheticamp, $7,750 Makeagan Insulation Inc., Boularerie East, $7,750 Sydport Builders and Design, Edwardsville, $7,750 Chef Todd's Catering and Deli Ltd., Sydney, $7,750 Indianbrook Adventures Inc., Englishtown, $7,750 Devantec Inc., Glace Bay, $7,750 Cape Breton Business College, Whitney Pier, $10,000 SLP Property Holdings Ltd., Sydney Mines, $10,000 3231890 Nova Scotia Ltd., Sydney, $2,500 Avitas Holdings Ltd., Glace Bay, $6,000 3005770 Nova Scotia Ltd., Sydney, $8,000 Nicholson Restructuring Ltd., South Bar, $3,825 Aramax IP Services, Sydney, $7,750 Basebridge.com, Halifax, $10,000 Nautel Limited, Hacketts Cove, $10,000 Pyra Management Consulting Services Inc., Newport, $2,850 Pixelyard Productions Inc., Halifax, $10,000