What is BRE?

The Business Retention & Expansion program, or BRE, is an internationally-recognized program that helps existing Nova Scotia Business stay and grow in the province.

Nova Scotia’s 13 RDAs connect local businesses to the resources and services they need to be even more competitive, both at home, across the country, and internationally.

Through in-depth consultation and intelligence gathering, BRE practitioners also measure, evaluate and develop strategies to address the needs of business.

Hundreds of businesses in sectors as diverse as hospitality, business services, alternative energy and biotech have leveraged the BRE program to advance and compete.

RDA staff work one-on-one with businesses to identify barriers to growth, develop strategies to overcome those barriers, and seize opportunities for expansion.

BRE services vary depending on the unique needs of the businesses and communities we serve. Community-based BRE officers have helped hundreds of Nova Scotia businesses:

• Connect to sources of capital
• Market their products and services locally, nationally, internationally
• Identify barriers to growth and prepare strategies to overcome them
• Access trained, qualified talent
• Work effectively with all three levels of government.

For more examples of how Nova Scotia businesses have leveraged the power of BRE, read our success stories. Should be linked to success stories page.

Our History

Beginning in 2006, seven Regional Development Authorities (RDAs) representing eight counties across the province began implementing strategies to encourage businesses to invest and thrive locally. This year, six more RDAs signed on to the internationally-recognized BRE program.

The BRE program is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities (NSARDA), however all levels of government are contributing time, money and expertise to the project.

The Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development, Nova Scotia Labour and Workforce Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Enterprise Cape Breton and Nova Scotia Business Inc., have played key roles in the delivery and success of BRE.