New Economic Development Website Helps Nova Scotia Businesses Grow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3 2009

A new economic development website launched today will assist existing Nova Scotia businesses access the resources and services they need to grow and compete.

The new website for the Business Retention and Expansion Program, or BRE, (www.nsarda.ca/bre) provides information on the award-winning business program, as well as business statistics and guidance on how businesses can access the service. The website also features a portal for the RDAs’ economic development practitioners to share best practices and business intelligence in order to better serve their business clients and communities.

“Businesses are the backbone of community economic development in Nova Scotia, and we’re thrilled to support their growth with the BRE program, and this website,” says Holly Boston, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities.”

BRE helps existing Nova Scotia Business stay and grow in the province and is offered across Nova Scotia by the 13 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.

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 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.

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For more information, please contact:
Holly Boston
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities
902.426.9016
hboston@nsarda.ca