The Annapolis Valley region is home to more than 100,000 residents and over 7,700 businesses including 1,000 farms. In addition, 14 Wing Greenwood is the largest air base on Canada's East Coast. The base is a major purchaser of local goods and services, which creates opportunities for many Valley businesses.
The region also has a strong labour force of approximately 50,000 people. Our diverse economy operates in five key sectors, described in more detail below. Other important sectors are healthcare, professional services, education and public administration. The Valley Regional Enterprise Network website is an excellent place to learn what the region offers.
Agriculture and agri-business
The Annapolis Valley has a large and diverse agricultural sector. We are the largest fruit-producing region in Eastern Canada and the centre of Nova Scotia's world-class wine industry. Agri-business and its related manufacturing also thrive here. These include food and beverage manufacturing, bakeries and tortilla manufacturing, meat product manufacturing, and seafood product preparation and packaging.
AgriTech
Farms in this region offer the potential for IT firms to trial and demonstrate systems that improve the ways resources, crops and livestock are managed. The region is poised to benefit from the strategic advantages in R&D services that are clustered in the Annapolis Valley. These services are concentrated at three Nova Scotia Community College sites, at Acadia University, and at the federal Kentville Research and Development Centre.
Manufacturing
The Annapolis Valley is a manufacturing hub in Nova Scotia. The region's 177 manufacturing businesses employ over 5,700 people—about 1 in 10 jobs in the Valley. Our largest manufacturer is the Michelin Tire Plant in Waterville, with about 1,450 employees.
The number and diversity of manufacturers have attracted a skilled workforce with portable skills. Among the Valley workforce, 11% have an Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma. More than 50% have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
Construction / Sustainable construction
The construction sector employs thousands of workers in the Annapolis Valley. Its focus is on residential building construction and building equipment contractors.
Retail trade
Wholesale and retail trade employs the largest number of people in the Valley. The industry is made up of businesses that sell goods to other businesses, and businesses that sell goods directly to the public. The Valley's retail trade includes a focus on trade support such as motor vehicle and parts dealers, and personal services including health and personal care stores.
Tourism
Tourism plays a key role in the Annapolis Valley's economy. It is primed to play an even bigger role in the years ahead. The Valley is one of Nova Scotia's most popular destinations. Visitors come for the natural beauty, our thriving brewery and winery industry, and the multitude of businesses providing unique experiences. Room nights sold in the region totalled 360,000 in 2018—the third highest in the province after the Halifax Metro and Cape Breton regions.
Contact us to learn more about our business sectors. We want to hear from you.