The Annapolis Valley offers many different kinds of support and resources to help you start and operate your business or to help you develop your career. Here's a sampling of what you'll find.
Valley REN
The Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) provides one-on-one business support. Its support is customized to meet the unique needs of your business, whether small or large. Through its BusinessNOW program, Valley REN will work with you to identify challenges and connect you with people and resources to help overcome these barriers. Its Valley Connector Program helps newcomers and international and local graduates gain professional networking experience.
Acadia University
Acadia University offers a variety of business-friendly supports. These include the following:
- Acadia's Office of Industry & Community Engagement connects Acadia's researchers with industry, government and community groups interested in research, commercialization and outreach.
- The Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre provides training, advisory, and innovation and incubation services for individuals, businesses, and not-for-profits.
- The Rural Innovation Centre is an incubator for start-up companies to access working space, support, networking, and mentors.
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
NSCC offers a variety of career resources through its NSCC career and employment services. NSCC also offers R&D and customized training options. The College's Community Innovation Leads link industry to researcher expertise and faculty. NSCC has three campuses in the Valley.
Other local support
Other local organizations may provide the specific support you're looking for. The Valley offers business associations, business-improvement districts, and other business supports.
These include Hants–Kings CBDC, a non-profit, community-based centre. CBDCs provide financial and technical services to entrepreneurs who are creating new businesses or who are expanding and modernizing existing ones.
Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in Kings County and part of Annapolis County. Avon Chamber of Commerce serves West Hants.
For a full list of local support, see the members of the Annapolis Valley Regional Economic Recovery Task Force. The task force was set up to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Nova Scotia province-wide support
Several organizations and government bodies offer support to businesses throughout the province:
- The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works with businesses to help them become more competitive, innovative and productive. Its aim is to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada.
- Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) provides a wide range of supports to Nova Scotia exporters and to outside businesses looking to invest in Nova Scotia. NSBI supports include training and financial incentives.
- The Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education provides many business-related services. The Department's Workplace Education Initiative is a national leader in providing top-quality workplace education programs.
- The Aboriginal Peoples Training & Employment Commission (APTEC) is the employment and training division of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. It provides human resource development services to the rural, urban, off-reserve Mi'kmaq / Aboriginal Peoples of Nova Scotia.
- Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) helps immigrants build a future in Nova Scotia. It does this through its integration services in settlement, employment, language, business and community connections.
Contact us to learn more about the business supports that are available to you. We want to hear from you.