Nova Scotia RDAs Win International Recognition for Local Business Development Efforts
For immediate release
June 4, 2009
Nova Scotia’s Regional Development Authorities have won a major international award for their business retention and expansion efforts.
The Business Retention & Expansion program, or BRE, 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.
Nova Scotia’s BRE program recently received an Honourable Mention in the State/Province/Territory category at the 2009 BRE International Awards held in Des Moines, Iowa in May.
BRE International is a highly regarded professional association for economic development practitioners in the field of business retention and expansion, a fundamental strategy for economic sustainability and growth.
“This award is a tremendous honour and a testament to the important role business and the RDAs play in community economic development,” says Holly Boston, executive director of the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities.
Hundreds of businesses in sectors as diverse as hospitality, business services, alternative energy and biotech have leveraged the BRE program to stay and grow in the province. RDA staff work one-on-one with businesses to identify barriers to growth, develop strategies to overcome those barriers, and seize opportunities for expansion. The services offered through BRE vary depending on the needs of the business and may include connecting businesses to sources of capital, promoting local firms internationally, or helping ensure a qualified local labour pool.
BRE was launched in Nova Scotia in 2006. Since inception, BRE officers have connected with more than 1700 businesses. Delivered by NSARDA and the 13 RDAs, several partners, including 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 its delivery and success.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Holly Boston
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities
902.426.9016
hboston@nsarda.ca |
