Backgrounder: Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Nova Scotia

January 31, 2025 · Porters Lake, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

The Government of Canada is providing a total of $3,551,945 in 2024-2025 under its Community Futures Program to 13 CBDCs in Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs. The funding will enable the CBDCs to offer essential financial assistance, specialized training, expert guidance, and customized local initiatives to the rural businesses, organizations, and communities they support.

CBDCs: Helping entrepreneurs make a positive impact in their communities

See below for individual CBDC funding amounts and examples of recent successful initiatives.

Northern Opportunities for Business Limited (NOBL) serves Antigonish, Pictou and Colchester Counties and is receiving $327,181. NOBL recently helped artist Marcus English establish his business, StoneFeather Creations. Marcus has been creating art using a variety of media since he was a young boy growing up in Pictou County and stone has become a material of choice to express his artistic vision.

Guysborough County CBDC serves Guysborough County and is receiving $326,121. The CBDC partnered with the Hire for Talent Initiative to offer approximately 20 small business entrepreneurs a networking opportunity, sharing valuable insights on topics such as workplace accessibility, inclusion, and flexible work arrangements.

Annapolis Ventures serves the Municipality of the County of Annapolis, Town of Middleton and Town of Annapolis Royal and is receiving $308,532. Recently, it helped Ketabolic Kitchen purchase equipment to scale up. Located in Bridgetown, the bakery makes keto, low carb, celiac and diabetic-friendly goods for sale in stores across the province.

CBDC Blue Water serves rural communities in Halifax Regional Municipality and is receiving $293,351. CBDC Blue Water recently assisted Porters Lake Family Smiles in securing financing to purchase equipment and renovate a space to establish a dental hygiene clinic on the Eastern Shore.

CBDC Digby-Clare serves Digby County, including the Town of Digby, and Digby and Clare Municipalities. It is receiving $269,457. InRich CBDC serves Inverness and Richmond Counties and is receiving $220,000 Recently, the two CBDCs partnered to provide bilingual information sessions in the French communities of Arichat and Cheticamp, helping to promote services and build relationships within bilingual communities.

Shelburne CBDC serves Shelburne County and is receiving $263,102. It recently helped Lydgate Lock Stock and Barrel general store establish its business and expand to accommodate demand from all of Shelburne County.  

Yarmouth CBDC serves Yarmouth County and is receiving $250,606. In 2024, it helped finance Yarmouth’s first vegan café. Café Caye Mangé sources local ingredients to provide wholesome and sustainable plant-based and sugar-free meals.

South Shore Opportunities CBDC serves Lunenburg and Queens County and is receiving $248,954. It recently partnered with the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs to offer a series of free online workshops to business owners, covering topics like budgeting, cashflow management, financial statements, tax considerations, and bookkeeping.

Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Associations is receiving $234,000. In addition to supporting all 13 CBDCs in Nova Scotia, it also delivers the Spark Nova Scotia program, a pitch competition which supports promising start-ups and encourages entrepreneurial activity in the province.

Northside Economic Development (NEDAC) serves North Sydney, Baddeck, Ingonish and surrounding communities, and is receiving $209,010. NEDAC continues to offer the Self Employment Program which helps eligible, unemployed people create their own job, providing them with sustainable income through self employment.

CBDC Cumberland serves Cumberland County and is receiving $201,631. It helps deliver the Workplace Education Initiative which provides free business education courses to residents of Cumberland County, such as Communication for Leaders, Financial Management and Sales and Marketing.

CBDC Hants-Kings serves Hants and Kings Counties and is receiving $200,000. Recently, it helped Midhun Syriac establish and grow his driving school after he moved to Nova Scotia from Southern India. JMJ Driving Schoolopened its first location in Greenwood and has expanded operations to Halifax and Bridgewater.

Coastal Business serves Sydney and is receiving $200,000. Coastal Business recently assisted a young entrepreneur in establishing Sparkes Rentals Inc., Cape Breton’s first portable storage business which delivers secure, weather-proof, portable storage units to homes and business for moving, renovating or adding storage space.

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News release: Empowering entrepreneurship and fueling local business growth in Nova Scotia