Funding for Climate-Resilient Space to Support African Nova Scotian Businesses

The Province is investing in a new space for African Nova Scotian businesses and entrepreneurs that will use clean energy and be energy efficient.

Akoma Holdings is receiving $100,540 to design the new space in Cherry Brook.

Twila Grosse, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and MLA for Preston, announced the funding today, April 9, on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

“African Nova Scotian communities are full of potential, and projects like Akoma’s incubator help turn that potential into opportunity,” said Minister Grosse. “By supporting sustainable business spaces, we are encouraging economic growth that is good for the community and good for the environment.”

The funding is through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund.

Quotes:

“There is a growing demand for space for Black-led, Black-serving, Black-focused businesses. Akoma Holdings is dedicated to building these spaces and encouraging the entrepreneurs from the Black Nova Scotian community. With this funding, you will see not only a new building, but the economic spinoffs in the community.”
— Veronica Marsman, property manager, Akoma Holdings

“The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities is pleased to support Akoma Holdings Inc. in the early stages of an important project. It will explore renewable energy and maximize energy efficiency for a new space that will provide resources and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and equity-deserving communities. The fund’s contribution to design an energy efficient B3 (Black-owned, Black-serving, Black-run) business incubator will help foster economic growth, sustainability and community resilience. We commend Akoma for their commitment to creating opportunities for African Nova Scotians and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this project.”
— Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Quick Facts:

• founded in 2014, Akoma Holdings is a community-focused organization based in Cherry Brook that supports the development of Black-led businesses and social enterprises; it manages land and property assets to create economic opportunities for African Nova Scotian communities
• the government created the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund in 2021 as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, its legislated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change, transform how Nova Scotians produce and use energy, make homes and buildings energy efficient, and more
• the program provides grants to municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi’kmaw communities to help them respond to and prepare for climate change impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities was selected through a request for proposals process to develop and administer the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund on behalf of the government
• since launching in 2022, about $10 million has been invested through the fund

Additional Resources:

More information on the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is available at: https://nschallengefund.ca/

News releases about the fund and related projects: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=228

Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf

Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf

Weathering What’s Ahead: Climate Change Risk and Nova Scotia’s Well-being: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/climate-impacts