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

Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada is Canada’s export credit agency. Their job is to support and develop Canada’s export trade by helping Canadian companies respond to international business opportunities. They’re a self-financing, Crown corporation that operates at arm’s length from the Government. They provide insurance and financial services, bonding products and small business solutions to Canadian exporters and investors and their international buyers. They also support Canadian direct investment abroad and investment into Canada. In 2016, they helped more than 7,150 Canadian companies do business in over 200 countries. The majority of these companies were small business, and more than 30 per cent of this business was conducted in fast-growing emerging markets. Using their financial products and services, their customers’ export sales and investments totaled almost $99 billion. They estimate that this helped generate $63.9 billion of Canada’s GDP, contributed more than 4 cents for every dollar earned and helped sustain 525,400 jobs.

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1605-1969 Upper Water St. Tower 2 Halifax Nova Scotia B3J 3R7

(902) 450-7610

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Grant Thronton

Grant Thornton—a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm – and the largest accounting firm in Atlantic Canada – providing audit, tax and advisory services to private and public organizations.  To complement our technical knowledge and expertise, we have professionals who are dedicated to developing in-depth industry knowledge. Together with the Quebec firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP, we have approximately 4,000 people in offices across Canada. Grant Thornton LLP is a Canadian member of Grant Thornton International Ltd (Grant Thornton International). Grant Thornton International and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms independently.

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Suite 200 - 500 George St Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 4K6

(902) 562-558

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Group ATN Consulting

Group ATN Consulting is a diversified consultancy serving the public and private Sectors, First Nations and Aboriginal Interests and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Their mission is to support and optimize value to our clients. Their philosophy springs from key commitments to quality, thought leadership, focused customer service, innovative solutions, and absolute accountability. Group ATN Consulting provides services including feasibility assessments, business development strategies, government relations services, policy development and analysis, economic analysis, and more. Their team also works hard to remain current on leading issues and trends by exposing their consultants to a network of thought leaders, tracking and analyzing economic and social trends, subscribing to social media, maintaining an advisory group of seasoned leaders, and actively participating in forums and events that provide opportunities for learning and the collision of ideas.

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5663 Cornwallis Street, Suite 100 Halifax Nova Scotia B3K 1B6

(902) 482-1221

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Hardwire IT Solutions

Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. is an information technology consulting/services firm providing IT consulting, networking services and technical application/hardware support to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and surrounding areas. It was incorporated in September of 2009 and is a 100% Cape Breton owned and operated organization. Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. was formed by the former IT department of a national company whose data center was located in Sydney. Hardwire provides IT service to the CBRM and surrounding areas utilizing the same model that allowed them to support hundreds of users across multiple offices and manage thousands of end point hardware devices/applications on a 24/7 schedule. The Hardwire team has a total combined industry experience of 45 years and has supported a variety of businesses spanning multiple industries. Hardwire IT Solutions Inc. offers the Cape Breton market dependable, quality IT support services at competitive rates.

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61 Castle Drive Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2A5

(902) 578-9081


Immigrant Loan Program

Immigrant Loan Program Loans of up to $20,000 for temporary residents, age 19 years and older, wishing to start a registered business in our area; Access to training, advisory and consulting services; Seasonal and part-time businesses are acceptable; Most sectors are eligible; and Fixed interest will be charged at prime rate plus 3%.

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Patrica MacNeil

Executive Director

(902) 539-4332

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Invest Nova Scotia

At Invest Nova Scotia we are working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia through attracting global investment to create new jobs across the province and working with companies in all communities to be more successful exporters. We can help you get there from here. With extensive industry and market expertise, we are passionate about helping Nova Scotia companies discover new exporting opportunities. Make Nova Scotia your business solution. If you are not yet familiar with our province, allow us to show you why our talent, geographic location, reputation, and research and development are attracting world-leading companies to establish operations here. You may also be interested in our Industrial Lands that offer access to shipping, logistics and distribution of your products.

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Wanda MacLean

Regional Business Development Advisor

902-227-7144

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JBW Consulting Inc.

Jim Wooder has a diverse background with a marine focus gained through 30 years of experience that includes maritime law practice (Clyde & Co.; Stewart McKelvey; Gard P&I), offshore oil & gas operations and senior management (Lasmo, PanCanadian, EnCana, Chevron) and more recently leading large scale environmental assessment and port related development projects. Recent experience includes: -led a joint venture among Nabors Drilling, EnCana, Laurentian Energy Corp. and RKO Steel for the fabrication of two complete onshore drill rigs -led the EA for the Sydport Container Terminal Development Project and associated Sydney Harbour Channel Dredging -PM for the 4.5 million m3 Sydney dredge and 175 acre land reclamation project comprising (i)Canada’s largest dredge (ii) one of DFO’s largest ever marine habitat compensation projects developed in collaboration with local fishers, and (iii) a large scale fishery catch & release program that moved circa 250,000 animals out of the dredge path over a 3 month period. -PM for Provincial Energy Ventures planned $75m terminal expansion at the former SYSCO dock (concept engineering, cost estimates and preliminary construction) -evaluation of transshipment options for a planned crude oil storage and transshipment terminal at the Port of Belledune -advisor to Sydport Terminals Limited regarding the establishment of a container terminal in Sydney -advisor to Brightleaf Technolgies, a Colorado based solar power company regarding the establishment of a j.v. at CBU’s Vershuren Center and a subsidiary in Sydney, N.S. Jim’s diverse background is well suited to both general and project management and business development roles. Much of his experience has had a marine focus and provides him with a unique perspective and combination of skills that are well suited to the ongoing development of Atlantic Canada’s evolving energy and transportation industries.

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Jim Wooder

Principal

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia


Kim Long and Associates

Experienced Human Resources Professional with a demonstrated history of working in private and non-profit sectors. Skilled in Training, Program Development, Facilitation, and Management.

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MacLeod Lorway

Since 1976, MacLeod Lorway has been serving the needs of individuals, families, and businesses across Nova Scotia. MacLeod Lorway came to life when C.R. Lorway and Son Limited and Stuart MacLeod Limited merged; they began acquiring other agencies shortly after. President Stuart MacLeod Jr. has been in a leadership role since the group’s early beginnings in 1976. The MacLeod Lorway philosophy has always revolved around providing individualized attention to each customer. As Stuart would say, “when you call one of our offices you will speak to a person, not an automated answering service”. Based on this philosophy, MacLeod Lorway has always been for people who appreciate insurance as more than simply coverage at a price. MacLeod Lorway is the insurance broker that includes personal care, understanding, and support with every policy. MacLeod Lorway has brokerages in nine Nova Scotian communities (Check our offices here). They also represent over 160 life insurance companies, allowing them to provide you with the best possible insurance rates.

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215 Charlotte Street Sydney, NS B1P 6K3

902-539-6666

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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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SENNS – Impact Investment Fund

The Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia (SENNS) has launched Nova Scotia’s first Impact Investment Fund, in partnership with the national Social Enterprise Ecosystem Project (S4ES), managed by SENNS partner, the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. Financing is available for social enterprises who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined on the Fund application form. The maximum amount of financing available is up to $15,000 per applicant.

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Chloe Donatelli

902-322-0985

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SENNS-Research

The Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia (SENNS) is a non-profit member led society working on behalf of all of Nova Scotia’s Social Enterprise sector that contributes to the social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being of Nova Scotia. Two reports recently completed by SENNS to assist social enterprise companies are the Social Enterprise Strategy  and the Mapping the Social Shift report that documents the social enterprise network in Nova Scotia

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Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

As a Nova Scotia resident, you could borrow up to $500,000 from a credit union in the form of a loan, line of credit or working capital to start or grow a business. Eligibility is based on your business plan, viability, and character. Acadian Credit Union 15089 Cabot Trail Cheticamp 1902-224-2055 Dominion Credit Union 94 Commercial Street Dominion, NS 902 849 8648 Glace Bay Central Credit Union Main Branch 598 Main St. Glace Bay, NS 902 849 7512 Reserve Mines Branch 2249 Sydney Rd. Reserve Mines, NS 902 849 4583 St. Joseph’s Credit Union 3552 Highway 206, Petit de Grat 1-902-226-2288 East Coast Credit Union Branches Baddeck Branch 902-295-3477 Havre Boucher Branch 902-234-2523 Inverness Branch 902-258-2045 L’Ardoise Branch 902-587-2414 Louisdale Branch 902-345-2015 Mabou Branch 902-945-2003 Margaree Branch 902-235-2659 Port Hawkesbury Branch 902-625-0190 Port Hood Branch 902-787-3246 St. Peter’s Branch 902-535-3101 Sydney Credit Union Sydney Branch 95 Townsend St., Sydney 902 562-5593 sydney@sydneycreditunion.com Sydney River Branch 1280 Kings Rd., Sydney River 902-539-1684 sydneyriver@sydneycreditunion.com

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SOCAN – Licensing Program

A SOCAN license gives businesses the freedom and flexibility to use virtually any music they want in their business or at their public event – legally, ethically, and easily. SOCAN makes this process simple by allowing music users to pay a relatively small fee, often once a year, which is distributed to music creators in Canada and around the world through our reciprocal agreements with similar societies. The fees are distributed to our Members who are composers, authors, and publishers of music, according to distribution rules approved by our Board of Directors. By law, permission to publicly perform music in business is not automatically granted when you purchase CDs, mp3s, subscribe to online music services, stream music, etc. – doing this only allows you to use the music for private (non-commercial) purposes. Similarly, when you hire musicians to play music in your establishment or at a public event, the fees paid to them are for their performance, not to compensate the authors and publishers of the songs they perform.

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1-866-944-6223

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Startup Canada – Entrepreneur Success Investment Fund

Startup Canada and Trushield Insurance have partnered together to launch the Entrepreneur Success Fund to invest in projects, programs, and initiatives that support entrepreneur success across Canada. The fund supports existing tools, technologies, programs, and initiatives that support entrepreneur access to information, training, mentorship, capital and connectivity, and have the potential to benefit from scaling through the Startup Canada Network. The fund provides: Up to $2,500 in micro-grant support Featured on StartupNews.ca and a guest-spot on the Startup Canada Podcast VIP Pass and Program at Startup Canada Day on the Hill on October 18th in Ottawa Concierge introduction to a network of 50 Startup Communities to scale

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56 Sparks Street, Suite 300, Ottawa Ontario

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Student Summer Skill Incentive (SKILL)

Access a wage subsidy to help reduce the cost of hiring post-secondary students for quality summer jobs if you work for a non-profit or registered charity. SKILL helps registered charities and societies offer summer jobs to post-secondary students. Eligible employers can hire students for terms of 8-14 weeks in the summer. You’ll receive a subsidy of $9.10 per hour ($10.10 if the student is a member of designated diversity group) for the wages you pay to your student employees. Designated diversity groups are: Mi’kmaq or Indigenous African Nova Scotians Visible minorities (including persons of African descent) Persons with disabilities (consisting of a physical, cognitive or mental impairment that presents a persistent barrier to work)   Eligibility Organizations can apply for the subsidy if they: are a not-for-profit organization registered as a charity or active society with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies plan to hire a university or college student for 8-14 weeks between April and August pay their summer student-employee minimum wage or more (plus vacation pay) for 30 to 35 hours of work per week aren’t receiving funding from any other government employment program for the same position How to apply If your organization is registered in the online Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS), you can apply now.

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PO Box 578, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2S9

902 424-6000

1-800-424-5418

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Sydney Makerspace

The Sydney Makerspace gives Cape Breton start-ups, entrepreneurs, students and other creative minds the place, equipment, materials and education to let them design and build innovative products. The 4,000 sq.ft. space in Sydney includes a general work area, a tool library, a metal working shop, a selection of woodworking tools, an electronics/robotics lab, as well as 3D drawing and printing abilities. Discounted memberships are available to students, educators, Veterans, seniors and partner groups (Centre for Craft and Design, Island Sandbox, Navigate, New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation and Mentor Connect)

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(902) 322-4078

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Tax Deductions TD1

TD1, Personal Tax Credits Return, is a form used to determine the amount of tax to be deducted from an individual’s employment income or other income, such as pension income. There are federal and provincial/territorial TD1 forms. Individuals complete the forms and give them to their employer or payer who should keep the completed forms with their records.

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Temporary Foreign Worker Program

If your business is facing a labour shortage, or you are unable to find the talent your business needs, why not look outside of Canada? The following programs can help you hire the right match for your business.

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The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a progressive trade agreement that upholds and promotes the values that Canada shares with the EU. This landmark agreement was signed on October 30, 2016 and entered into force on September 21, 2017.

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Christine Smith

902-426-6660

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