Helping businesses be more competitive globally
- LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. Loan Guarantee
The province is making the future of energy-efficient street lighting brighter by supporting an innovative Nova Scotia-based technology firm. The province will provide LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. with a $10-million loan guarantee from the Industrial Expansion Fund. - Reduction in Small Business Tax
In the spring 2011 budget the small business tax rate will be cut to four per cent. The tax rate hadn't changed in almost 20 years. The province has lowered it twice in the last two years. Entrepreneurs across this province can invest more money in their businesses and be more competitive, which helps boost our economy. - Cherubini Metal Works Expansion
One of Atlantic Canada's largest steel fabrication companies is expanding its operations and creating new jobs with support from the province. The province, through NSBI, is providing a $15.1-million term loan. The province and Cherubini are making important investments to compete on a global stage. - Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The province has signed an agreement with the federal government that provides Nova Scotia with a greater role in helping employers bring temporary foreign workers to the province. This Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows Nova Scotian to be able to respond faster to the needs of employers. Temporary international workers have technical skills and international contacts our companies and communities need to remain innovative, productive and competitive. - New Science and Technology Advisory Council
Early stage technology companies in the province are getting improved access to scientific and technology expertise thanks to Innovacorp's new Science and Technology Advisory Council. The council will be a great platform for assessing emerging science and technology issues important to Nova Scotia's economic future. - Maritime Paper Improves Productivity and Competitiveness
Maritime Paper Products Ltd. is increasing competitiveness and productivity at its operation in Dartmouth with support from the province through NSBI. The support will help sustain more than 100 high-value jobs and is a perfect example of the type of project that strengthens the economy. The investment will support continued efforts by Maritime Paper to become even more competitive in this global industry, securing high-value jobs for Nova Scotians. - $14 Million for Halifax Airport runway extension and global competitiveness
Nova Scotia and the federal government are investing $14 million in the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to allow it to attract more passengers and cargo traffic. The airport’s main runway will be extended from 8,800 to 10,500 feet to allow it to handle larger and heavier aircraft. The extension will enhance the airport's position as a key international air cargo and passenger hub. - Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Changes Spur Job Creation, Competitiveness
Recent changes to the province's film industry and digital media tax credits have made Nova Scotia's film, television and new media industries more competitive, and ensured that they will continue to play a significant role in the economic prosperity of our province. High-value jobs supported include modelers, riggers, texture artists, animators, lighting and compositing crews, production support staff, series directors and storyboard artists. - Provincial Invests $2-million to Bring Fibre-optic TV and Internet Technology to Halifax
The province’s $2-million investment with Bell Aliant will bring fibre-optic television and Internet access to 160,000 homes and business in HRM. The money will make sure that the province will have the right telecommunications infrastructure in place to compete in the global economy. In May 2010, an additional $2-million was invested to bring fibre-optic technology to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. More than half of these investments will be spent on jobs and services. - Province Invests $150,000 in Downtown Truro
The province is helping Downtown Truro develop and improve its public spaces with a $150,000 investment. Urban areas are an important tool for growing Nova Scotia’s economy and helping communities become more sustainable. - Funding for Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Study
The governments of Nova Scotia and Canada are investing $108,000 in a feasibility study that will help the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) determine the costs and benefits of a new, larger facility. A new public art gallery will provide greater support for the arts and culture sector, which employs hundreds of Nova Scotians and contributes significantly to the provincial economy. - Province creates good jobs at Pictou Lodge
The province is helping Pictou Lodge Beachfront Resort create good jobs and more opportunities for current employees through an investment of $450,000. The resort is making the necessary changes to stay competitive and working towards making a difference in rural Nova Scotia. The number of employees is expected to grow and some seasonal employees will be able to work for the resort year-round. - Oxford-based Blueberry Supplier Expands
Oxford Frozen Foods is expanding its blueberry plant to increase capacity to better serve international markets. NSBI is supporting this project with a fully repayable, interest-bearing $5-million term loan. Oxford Frozen Foods is investing $5.6 million in its operations. The company is a long-standing employer in Nova Scotia and is actively involved in trade and exporting. - Nova Scotia Small Businesses To Pay Less Tax
The province has lowered the small business tax rate as of January 1, 2011. The cut is the first reduction in the small business tax rate since 1992 and will benefit thousands of small business owners throughout the province. - SimplyCast.com expanding, adding employees, attracting local clients
SimplyCast.com, a homegrown multi-channel marketing software provider and international exporter, is adding new employees with the help of a payroll rebate from $1,008,000 from NSBI. The company will be adding high-value jobs in sales, software development, system administration, marketing and client support to help the company compete successfully as it moves into international markets. - Province Invests in Downtown Amherst’s vision
The province is helping Amherst be more competitive by investing $500,000 to help the downtown area become more attractive to new businesses. The money will go towards making Amherst’s $8-million vision for downtown a reality through reinvestment and redevelopment, including public and open space improvements, business retention and expansion, parking and traffic circulation, and land use policies. - Province increases competitive advantage with film industry tax credit changes
Changes to the Film Industry Tax Credit and Digital Media Tax Credit will ensure the province's film, television and new media industry continues to be one of the most competitive in Canada.
This sector plays a significant role in the economic future of Nova Scotia and helping to increase the local industry's competitive advantage, by providing more incentives to produce in Nova Scotia. More production means more high-value job opportunities for Nova Scotians. - Five-year Highway Improvement Plan Launched
A new highway improvement plan will help develop a strong and modern highway system across Nova Scotia. Communities will also be able to track provincial road construction from now on through regular reports on progress. Building and maintaining roads and infrastructure creates thousands of jobs, allows local businesses to transport goods to market, connects Nova Scotians to vital services, employment and education, and leads visitors to every corner of the province. - Agriculture Plan Cultivates Homegrown Success
A new Agriculture plan, Homegrown Success, will make Nova Scotia's agriculture industry more competitive, innovative and profitable. Focusing on creating business opportunities in high-value areas, innovation, building the Nova Scotia brand, connecting businesses with potential partners abroad and helping farmers generate greater profits from the marketplace. The plan fulfills an important commitment for government and we all share the responsibility for making agriculture a profitable, competitive and self-reliant industry that will ensure our long-term prosperity. - Premier Highlights New Directions in State of Province Address
In his State of the Province address on Nov. 24. Premier Darrell Dexter outlined new directions taken by the province in energy, job creation and managing the deficit as examples of the changes needed to ensure the province lives within its means and grows the economy. He made it clear that Nova Scotia must continue to change in order to address the serious challenges confronting the province and continue to protect important public services. - jobsHere, Governments Plan to Grow Nova Scotia's Economy, Released
An aggressive, co-ordinated plan focused on innovation, competitiveness and learning will create good jobs and a strong economy, Premier Darrell Dexter announced on Nov. 23. jobsHere positions Nova Scotia to compete and succeed in the global marketplace and will help companies be more innovative. It will also prepare workers of today and tomorrow to land high-paying jobs, in leading-edge companies so they can stay here and build a life. It will ensure Nova Scotia's traditional sectors play a significant role in the economic future of this province. - Province's Clean Technology Industry Gets Boost
Nova Scotian clean technology companies will have better access to capital through a new, $24-million provincial fund. The fund will be administered by Innovacorp and is part of jobsHere, Nova Scotia’s plan to grow the economy. The investment will help companies meet an urgent demand for sustainable solutions. It will also attract new companies and investment into the region, strengthening Nova Scotia's position in this exciting global market. - New Public Procurement Act Introduced
The Public Procurement Act, which will replace the current Government Purchasing Act was introduced in the legislature on April 13. It aims to ensure all public sector entities, such as hospitals, schools, municipalities and government departments, work together to get taxpayers the best value for the goods and services they buy. The act will ensure there will be more opportunities for local businesses to develop the skills necessary to apply for public sector procurement, better preparing them to compete globally. - Citco Chooses Nova Scotia for Future Job Growth
The world's leading hedge fund administrator is growing again in Nova Scotia. The province and NSBI announced on April 21 that a previous payroll rebate agreement with Citco Fund Services has been extended. The extension could see as many as 200 new jobs created after the current agreement expires. The investment will see more high-value jobs created in Nova Scotia, contributing to the goals set out in jobsHere, the province’s plan to grow our economy. - Province helps companies Invest in Advanced Equipment and Training
The province’s Productivity Investment Program is helping Nova Scotia companies purchase advanced equipment to become more competitive as part of jobsHere, the province's plan to grow the economy. The program’s goal is to help Nova Scotia companies become more competitive on a global scale. More than two dozen projects across the province have been approved to purchase advanced equipment and training. - New Immigration Strategy will Help Employers, Communities
The province’s immigration strategy, Welcome Home to Nova Scotia was released on April 29 by Premier Darrell Dexter. One of the goals set out in the document is to double the number of new immigrants arriving each year by 2020. It will target international workers with the technical skills and international contacts the province needs to become more innovative, productive and competitive. It will also ensure potential immigrants understand they are welcome and valued in Nova Scotia and that this province wants them to stay and build a life here. - TD Insurance Partners with Nova Scotia to Create Jobs in Halifax
TD Insurance will be expanding in Halifax, creating up to 140 new full-time jobs over the next six years through a payroll rebate with NSBI. The rebate will support employee training, allowing the company to hire new graduates as it grows to meet business demand. The office in Halifax provide sales and service support for the Atlantic provinces, as well as claims support, HR and administrative functions for the company.
