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

Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office

The mandate of the Mi’kmaw Economic Benefits Office (MEBO) is to maximize the employment and contract opportunities for indigenous community members in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).  We achieve this by continually expanding our broad network of industry partners across all sectors. MEBO supports the growth of businesses as well as aspiring entrepreneurs in the establishment of new businesses. We can help with: providing training workshops assistance preparing funding applications business plan development

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Alex Paul

201 Churchill Dr Suite 201, Membertou, NS B1S 0H1

902-562-4700

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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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Nova Scotia Community College- Marconi Campus

Located in Sydney, the Marconi Campus offers a range of programs and a friendly learning atmosphere. Students enjoy plenty of open space with comfy seating, quiet study areas, wireless access and computer labs. The campus business centre serves as an incubator for small businesses and provides opportunities for students to work part-time in their field of study, and build their portfolio. It also provides the resources to help them develop their own small business ideas. A new trades wing features shop space, classrooms, offices and a green design, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

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1240 Grand Lake Road Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6J7

902-563-2450

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Nova Scotia Community College-Strait Area

Located in Port Hawkesbury, the Strait Area Campus offers an extensive range of programs. The Campus is home to the Nautical Institute that provides Transport Canada-approved marine training. Facilities for marine training include a wave tank, fire training centre and state-of-the-art simulators for propulsion systems, navigation and global communications. Students enjoy a spacious and friendly campus environment, amazing outdoor spaces and trails, as well as excellent recreation fitness and entertainment services that are offered in the area year-round. The Strait Area Campus also offers programs in Wagmatcook First Nation at the renovated Wagmatcook Learning Centre.

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226 Reeves Street Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia B9A 2A2

902-625-2380

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NSCC – Your Entrepreneurial Self Program

NSCC Entrepreneurship provides entrepreneurial skill awareness and development opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Programs and services include:

Free Entrepreneurial Resources including workshops, presentations, activities, lesson plans, templates, toolkits
Business Counselling –One-on-one business counselling for students, staff and faculty who are interested in starting a business or want to take their existing businesses to the next level. Guidance offered for business plan development, marketing, HR, government regulations and financing.
Curriculum Consulting – One-on-one curriculum consulting and support to integrate entrepreneurship into the classroom (integrating tools such as the business model canvas, business plans, software and activities)
College Wide Activities – entrepreneurial activities for students, staff and faculty including challenges, contests and competitions and professional development opportunities
Community Connections – Entrepreneurial Service Providers and Community Resources – we work with other entrepreneurial service providers and connect students/staff to relevant resources and supports, workshops and training events, available in our communities

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Sheri Williams

902-491-8869

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Strait Area Chamber of Commerce

SACOC provides unique opportunities for businesses to promote and develop through advertising, seminars, trade shows, networking and events. It also provides access to member discounts on business expenses such as group insurance, point of sale systems, advertising, etc., in addition to 15-20 training courses each year to help businesses be more efficient and grow. SACOC annually hosts a “Small Business Road Show” that engages SMEs and service providers in rural communities across rural Cape Breton. The objective is to build awareness of the many services provided to SMEs and new entrepreneurs. SACOC periodically hosts women leadership events that provide networking and skill development opportunities for women in business and leadership.

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Tanya Felix

902-625-1588

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TD Bank Financial Group

As a top 10 North American bank, TD aims to stand out from its peers by having a differentiated brand – anchored in our proven business model, and rooted in a desire to give our customers, communities and colleagues the confidence to thrive in a changing world. Our small business banking includes: Business Bank Account (Canadian and US Dollar) Merchant Solutions (Debit and Credit Processing) Business Credit Cards Payroll Services Cash flow management – Overdrafts and Lines of Credit

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Doug Arsenault

Account Manager-Small Business Banking

292 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia

902-539-3640 ext 300

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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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Perennia Training Services

Perennia’s team develops and delivers workshops, field days, tours, short courses, training sessions and conferences, often in partnership with industry or government. Perennia has a number of workshops and training topics that can be customized or delivered by our specialists and associates to your group, agency or company.

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902-896-8782

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Screen Nova Scotia

Screen Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit membership organization representing over 2,000 people working in film, television and animation across the province. Membership includes producers, service providers, local cast and crew, unions and guilds, and industry organizations.  Screen Nova Scotia works with and advocates on behalf of the screen-based industry in Nova Scotia to build long-term economic and cultural sustainability of the sector, and to create opportunities for the film, television, and digital media content creators based in the province. Services provided for include business development training, attendance at conferences and trade missions, research and information on funding programs provided by various partners.

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Laura Mackenzie

902-405-1499

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TIANS – One-on-One Tourism Mentorship Program

TIANS offers the Mentorship Program for Nova Scotia Tourism Operators – The mentorship program matches experienced Tourism Industry operators who are willing and able to share their expertise with their Industry colleagues.

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Darlene Grant Fiander

902-423-4480

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TIANS – Technology Project

TIANS offers the technology product program for operators looking to more effectively market your business online, but don’t know where to start, or just need some extra assistance? We’ve got the solution!  TIANS is offering the following assistance: Tailored one-on-one mentoring meetings Technology workshops and webinars On-going resource for tourism operators

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Darlene Grant Fiander

902-423-4480


Tourism Nova Scotia – Business Development

Tourism Nova Scotia’s Business Development team works with new and existing tourism operators to identify compelling business opportunities and provide coaching aligned with our target markets, based on research and market intelligence.   For New & Existing Accommodations: Nick Fry nick.fry@novascotia.ca

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Jennifer McKeane

902-717-3623


Tourism Nova Scotia – Sector Development

The Experience Development team is focused on the development of new world-class experiences, primarily in partnership with the private sector. Strong emphasis is placed on using market research and insights to initiate and influence development of experiences that will appeal to our visitors.

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Heather Yule

902-471-5304

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Ulnooweg Aboriginal Business Financing Program

The Aboriginal Business Financing Program is administered by Ulnooweg and offers non-repayable business contributions to individual Aboriginal entrepreneurs and community owned businesses. Eligible applicants are individuals of Canadian Aboriginal status or non-status, Metis or Inuit Heritage (on or off reserve), living and operating their businesses within the Atlantic provinces. Aboriginal business and financial organizations, as well as development corporations are also eligible for contributions. Some of the eligible expenses for ABDP support are:

Business planning
Establishment and operating costs
Business acquisitions and expansions
Local, domestic or export oriented marketing initiatives
New product or process development
Adding technology to improve operations and competitiveness
Financial services, business support, business-related training and mentoring services

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1-888-766-2376

902-893-7379

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Verschuren Centre

The Verschuren Centre is an industrial solutions, development and deployment centre directly engaged with, and responsive to, industry and economic development needs, providing opportunities for process and product development, technology improvement, and enhancements in sustainability. Its mission involves bridging engineering and scientific research into environmental, industrial and socioeconomic policy contexts that promote the adoption and effective application of innovation for large-scale positive impact.

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Beth Mason

902-563-1182

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Viticulturist and Terroir Initiative

Perennia’s viticulturist, Francisco Diez, works directly with wineries to help them with their development goals, as the linkages between the vineyards and the wineries is really key to the overall industry’s success.  A key initiative is an assessment of the terroir of the province’s wine regions to determine the best management practices, preferred varieties, etc.  Please visit our viticulture and grape growing page, or contact:

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Francisco Diez

Viticulturist

(902) 300-3905