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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Maritime Environmental Training Institute

Maritime Environmental Training Institute (METI) is a private career college, providing occupational, environmental health and safety training through their accredited and industry-approved full-time programs, safety courses, safety services, and in-demand online training. METI’s training is geared to provide students with the knowledge, skills and certification needed to meet the requirements of a person employed in a variety of industries. METI is centrally located in Sydney, Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) and occupies 18,000 square feet along with a modern training yard, measuring 2.5 acres, making it an ideal setting for your safety training, safety courses, safety certification and safety services.

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301 Alexandra Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2E8

(902) 539-9766

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Investment Tax Credit

You may be eligible to claim an investment tax credit (ITC) if any of the following applies: you bought certain new buildings, machinery, or equipment and they were used in certain areas of Canada in qualifying activities such as farming, fishing, logging, manufacturing, or processing (for more information, go to Atlantic investment tax credit) you have done work that qualifies for scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) tax incentives (for more information, go to Claiming SR&ED tax incentives) you employ an eligible apprentice for which you want to claim an Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit you have unclaimed credits earned in the last 10 years you have received a T3 slip, showing an amount in box 41 you have received a 2008 version of a T5013 slip, with an amount showing in box 107, or a 2004 version of a T5013 slip, with an amount showing in boxes 38 or 138 you have received a T5013 slip, with an amount showing in boxes 186 or 194 you have received a T101 slip, with an amount showing in box 128 you have a partnership financial statement that allocates to you an amount that qualifies for this credit you have an investment in a mining operation that allocates certain exploration expenditures to you you have created licensed child care spaces for the children of your employees

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Irving Shipbuilding Inc. Online Supplier Registry

Register your business as a potential supplier of goods and services for the shipbuilding industry.

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ISANS-Business Workshops

ISANS has business workshops and seminars to help newcomers start and grow a successful business. To attend business training workshops, you must first: be a recent citizen, permanent resident or approved to immigrate register as an ISANS client meet with an ISANS business counsellor have a minimum CLB 5 Classes and workshops take place on-site at ISANS or online through our Online Learning website

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ISANS-Diversify Your Workforce

ISANS helps employers recruit and retain international talent by providing information, workshops, assessments and training to hire immigrants, support immigrant employees, build inclusive workplaces and share professional skills and experience. Some of the assistance provided by ISANS to employers include: On-site Recruitment & Career Info Sessions Skills Match Online Recruitment English in the Workplace Professional Practice Program Trades Practical Assessments Internationally Educated Engineers Bridging Program Internationally Educated Architects Work-based Assessment (Pilot) Program Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project (AIPP) Workplace Culture Program

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902-423-3607

1-866-431-6472

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Island Sandbox

The Island Sandbox is a member of the Nova Scotia Sandbox community. We provide space for various student groups from Cape Breton University and NSCC Marconi Campus to experiment with new entrepreneurial ideas and access business mentors and other support. We deliver unique hands-on programing and workshops to assist in professional and personal development. The Island Sandbox borrows from a time when we first learned to use grains of sand to create a world of possibilities fed solely by our imagination. In that sandbox from our childhood, we learned to collaborate with our peers and to learn through play. At the Island Sandbox, we bring students together with our communities’ entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and academia to create an environment where imagination and innovation can flourish. It is a place to experiment and to see the world through the eyes of an entrepreneur. The Island Sandbox is a collaboration between Cape Breton University and the Nova Scotia Community College to serve as a collision space for ideas and innovation. Our primary focus is to help students explore problems/opportunities through Design Thinking.

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Todd Graham

902-565-9004

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Job Bank

Post your jobs and look for matches with skilled job-seekers, on this online service.

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Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement delivers programs in the areas of work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship to elementary, middle and high schools in the classroom and after school. Programs include Our Business World, Dollars with Sense, Economics for Success and Company Program. Its Ideation Bootcamp is a 6 week after-school program that provides students in Grade 9-12 with the opportunity to explore generating, developing and evaluating ideas for launching a new entrepreneurial venture. It allows students to develop and test ideas through market research and prototyping, set goals, develop a business model canvas, and learn how to pitch their product or service.

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Maria MacDonald

(902) 371-1478

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LAE – SKILLS ONLINENS

Free on-line courses are offered in partnership with the Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour and Advanced Education, the Nova Scotia Association of CBDC’s and Bluedrop. Skill OnlineNS gives every resident of the province access to thousands of FREE online courses on the most important workplace topics to improve their skills and career prospects.

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Erinn Smith

902-384-3346

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LAE – Workplace Education Initiative

The Workplace Education Initiative Programs are tailored specifically for each workplace to meet the needs of the employees in that workplace. Topics that could be included in a program are essential skills related to the development of documents, communication, computers, reading, math, essentials for small business, academic upgrading and pilot programs Funding under this program can be provided for: Organizational needs assessments Educational needs assessments Essential skills course development and delivery by an instructor Instructor travel Materials and supplies Programs are 35 to 40 hours in duration with 10 to 12 participants per course. (Courses can be with one employer, or a group of employers).

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Donald Ferguson

902-563-2341

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Launch Your Business Webinar Series

Futurpreneur’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence is an engaging webinar where the facilitators take you through key questions to determine where you are with your business idea. The webinar will also outline how to be part of the Entrepeneur-In-Residence program: free coaching sessions for those entrepreneurs who want to launch their business. You will also learn what free resources you have available to you.

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