The following companies/organizations are Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership and offer services specific to business development.

Micro-Loan Program

Under the Micro-Loan Program, women+ entrepreneurs from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton will be eligible to apply for a loan of up to $10,000. The Micro-Loan Program is made possible by the partnership and participation of the Cape Breton Partnership, Sydney Credit Union, East Coast Credit Union, Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, Centre for Women in Business, and Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development.

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902-562-0122

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Sydney Credit Union

We are a financial cooperative committed to providing programs and services which enhance the economic and social well being of our members and our community. As a Sydney Credit Union member, you have access to a complete and competitive line of financial products and services – and the convenience of our three full service branches, one in Sydney, one in Sydney River and now one in Whitney Pier. We offer personal and commercial loans, mortgages, chequing and savings accounts, MasterCard® products including CHOICE REWARDS®, RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs, GICs, Internet and telephone banking, and several money savings package plans, suited to meet your financial needs.

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95 Townsend St. Sydney, NS B1P 6K3

(902) 562-5593

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Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS)

TIANS prides themselves as the champion of advocacy for tourism issues in Nova Scotia. By listening to their members, TIANS is fiercely working on their behalf with a passion for the tourism industry, sincere compassion for their well-being and the desire to advance change. In working with their partner associations and stakeholders, they ensure that they are involved in the development of the tourism industry at the regional, provincial, and national levels.

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2089 Maitland Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 2Z8

902-423-4480

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Virtual Adviser Program

Get one-on-one support from an experienced business adviser. Our free Virtual Adviser Program powered by BoomersPlus.com will match you with a seasoned professional to help you solve a unique challenge your business is facing during this difficult time. The program is available to businesses operating in Cape Breton. The Virtual Adviser Program is powered by BoomersPlus.com which specializes in matching organizations with seasoned talent to fill project or term roles. Their network includes thousands of professionals, managers and executives ready to share their experience and expertise.

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Shannon McNeil

Business Planning Advisor

285 Alexandra Street, Sydney, NS,

902-562-0122

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Canadian International Innovation Program

The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) supports Canadian companies to pursue international research and development (R&D) collaboration with a foreign partner on projects that have the potential for commercialization. CIIP can help you find R&D partnerships in: Brazil China India Israel South Korea Who Can Apply? Canadian companies that are: incorporated, for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise seeking to develop new or improved products, services, or processes with a high potential for commercialization ready to collaborate on a R&D project with a foreign partners

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Christine Smith

902-426-6660

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Canadian Signature Experiences

Co-managed by Destination Canada (DC) and thirteen provincial/territorial marketing organizations (PMOs) across Canada, the Canadian Signature Experiences (CSE) program features a collection of visitor experiences that are best aligned to deliver internationally on the Canada Keep Exploring brand promise and drive international sales to Canadian tourism businesses. Destination Canada and Tourism Nova Scotia (TNS) will integrate the CSE collection into respective travel trade, marketing and media initiatives to raise awareness of Nova Scotia’s CSEs where it is advantageous to do so.

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Heather Yule

Manager, Experience Development

902-471-5304

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Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design – Consultant Services

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design (CBCCD) may engage the services of a consultant to enhance the skills and/ or capacity of craft producers needed to establish, maintain or grow their businesses. The level of non-repayable assistance will normally be up to 75% of the cost to a maximum of $5000. Eligible services may include but are not limited to: Business Assessment Business Plan Development Export Development plan Lean Manufacturing International Trade Development Marketing Plan

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Stephanie Dupuis

322 Charlotte Street, Sydney

902-539-7491 (ext 115)

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Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design – Trade Missions

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design may provide financial assistance to craft businesses that wish to participate in trade activities that will help to develop international markets for their craft products. Activities eligible for funding include wholesale trade shows and other activities that involve the participation of international buyers. The level of non-repayable assistance will normally be up to a maximum of 75% for the first time a business participates in a mission, up to a maximum of 65% for the second time, and up to a maximum of 50% thereafter.   The eligible costs for assistance are travel, accommodation, booth fees, and freight up to a specified limit. Only 3rd party bills will be considered for freight. The business is responsible for 100% of all other costs such as meals and entertainment.

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Stephanie Dupuis

322 Charlotte Street, Sydney

902-539-7491 (ext 115)

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Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design- Succession Planning

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design (CBCCD) may provide financial assistance to Cape Breton craft producers who wish to plan for the future of their businesses after retirement and pass on their craft to someone with intent to take over the pre-existing business. This funding will assist in the planning of your business’ future. The level of non-repayable assistance will be up to 75% of costs to a maximum of $2500. The eligible costs for succession plan development include direct costs associated with the creation and/or development of a succession plan and consultant services.

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Stephanie Dupuis

322 Charlotte Street, Sydney

902-539-7491 (ext 115)

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Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design- Website Development

Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design (CBCCD) may provide financial assistance to craft producers who wish to participate in website development that will help to further promote their products and businesses. The level of non-repayable assistance will be up to 75% of the costs to a maximum of $5,000 for new websites and up to 75% of the costs to a maximum of $2,000 for an existing website. The eligible costs for assistance for website development are for the development of new websites or the enhancement of a craft producer’s existing website.

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Stephanie Dupuis

322 Charlotte Street, Sydney

902-539-7491 (ext 115)

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Cape Breton University – Office of Research and Graduate Studies

Programs and supports offered include: Provides mentoring and supports to entrepreneurs seeking assistance and mentoring around how to start and grow their business Develops and manages research partnerships between various academic units and entrepreneurs Works with companies to help them access students, faculty experts, research departments and specialized equipment for R&D projects through fully funded programs such as Springboard, NRCIRAP, Mitacs, NSERC, Engage, Innovation and Productivity Vouchers, etc. Works with companies to help them access students, faculty experts, research departments and specialized equipment for R&D projects Provides companies with training and mentoring services through targeted workshops, one-on-one meetings, guest speakers, industry sessions, specialized sector meeting and other industry – university collaborative opportunities

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Sarah Conrod

902-563-1842

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Capital Investment Tax Credit

The Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC) is a refundable corporate income tax credit claimed by eligible corporations for capital equipment acquired for use in Nova Scotia on or after January 1, 2015. The capital equipment must be acquired as part of an “approved project”. The rate of the tax credit is 15 per cent of the capital cost of “qualified property” acquired in a taxation year, with a maximum tax credit of $30 million per “approved project.” Find the guidelines here: https://www.novascotia.ca/finance/site-finance/media/finance/CITC_Guidelines.pdf  

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CBDC – Northside Victoria

As CBDCs, we assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. Business counselling, help & advice is available to small businesses. We help businesses to succeed and therefore we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate. Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers is available in many of our offices. Technical assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies. In Nova Scotia, there are 13 CBDCs offering financial, training and advisory services to entrepreneurs. The CBDCs work collectively through the Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs, an umbrella organization that supports the common needs of the CBDCs. CBDCs share best practices promote entrepreneurship and deliver provincial initiatives such as Students in Business and the Youth Internship Program.

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Gordie McGean

Executive Director

1 Fraser Avenue, Suite 7 Sydney Mines, NS B1V 2Y4

(902) 736-6211

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CBDC – Social Enterprise Loan

CBDC Social Enterprise Loans and financing is available to non-profits, including charities, cooperatives or societies in need of business support (in the form of a loan or loan guarantee). Financing will be used to buy assets, renovate existing ones or to expand a social enterprise. CBDC Social Enterprise Loans are specifically intended to provide financial support for revenue generating business operations of officially registered non-profit organizations. The CBDC offers loans of up to $150,000 per eligible applicant. (Loans are repayable with competitive interest rates and repayment terms).

The Social Enterprise Loan may be used to purchase machinery, equipment or other items necessary for continued business operations. Loan amortizations of up to ten years are available. This is based on the life expectancy of the asset(s) the Social Enterprise is using the funds to acquire.

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