Celebrating Small Business Week, Funding Project in Southwest Nova Scotia
Small Business Week 2024 is an opportunity to recognize small business owners and the significant impact they have on people, communities, and the economy in Nova Scotia.
To kick off the week, Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek announced funding today, October 21, to help small businesses along multi-use trails in Digby, Shelburne, and Yarmouth counties increase their visibility to trail users.
The Western Regional Enterprise Network’s Get Side-Tracked project will co-ordinate signage, branding and a website to highlight the local businesses along the 200-kilometre trail system. The aim is to open participating businesses to new markets, increase visitors and spark the development of trail-focused businesses and services.
“Small businesses make a big impact in Nova Scotia, particularly in our rural regions,” said Minister Corkum-Greek. “I encourage you to get out, explore and celebrate small businesses by visiting your favourite local spots, discovering new ones, and sharing them with family and friends.”
The Nova Scotia Loyal program highlights local small businesses including producers, makers, artisans and farmers. The program includes co-operative marketing and branding of local products, sampling and tasting opportunities, and events that feature all Nova Scotia products.
During Small Business Week, the Department will be sharing posts on X (formerly Twitter) promoting small businesses, supports for small businesses and the benefits of buying local.
Quotes:
“We at the Western Regional Enterprise Network are excited to lead this project. Enhancement of the 200-plus kilometres of the local trail system will generate significant economic benefits through business growth and tourism, while providing greater recreational access and health advantages for ATVers, runners and walkers alike. We thank the Province for their support and our local community for their enthusiasm and involvement.”
— Jamie Symonds, board Chair, Western Regional Enterprise Network
“Our multi-use trail system in Nova Scotia plays a very important role in our recreational and mental health landscape as well as in our provincial economy. We welcome this initiative as it recognizes the importance of the multi-use trail system and look forward to the benefits that it will bring to the tri-county area.” — Kevin Lombard, President, ATV Association of Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
- small businesses with fewer than 50 employees make up almost 98 per cent of businesses in Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia has about 86,850 small businesses
- Small Business Week 2024 takes place Oct. 21-25
- the Department contributed $213,285 to the Get Side-Tracked project through the Community Economic Development Fund and the Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN) contributed $70,040; the total cost is $283,325
- WREN aims to enroll 30 to 50 businesses in the Get Side-Tracked training program, which will offer best practices, tips and suggestions on how to best serve this market
Additional Resources:
Provincial programs for businesses: https://www.novascotia.ca/grow-your-business/
Nova Scotia Loyal: https://nsloyal.ca/
Invest Nova Scotia: https://investnovascotia.ca/
Community Economic Development Fund: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-project-funding-community-economic-development-fund
Nova Scotia’s business navigator service: https://www.novascotia.ca/regulatoryopportunity/business-navigators.asp