A key mandate is to build relationships and support the work of regional development authorities in their efforts to build on community assets and strengths. Staff also help develop co-operatives and projects aimed at sustainable communities across Nova Scotia.
Events
- Celebrating Communities
Mark your calendars for the September 23-25, 2009 Celebrating Communities Conference and Awards taking place in Truro at the Best Western Trade and Convention Centre.
Publications
- Community Development Policy
The overall purpose of the policy is to improve the climate for community development. This improvement will come through more effective government support for communities and by ensuring that government activities are compatible with the policy's objectives and principles.
Programs and Initiatives
- Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia
Government is committed to expanding high-speed Internet access for Nova Scotians, no matter where they live, by the end of 2009. The goal is to make the province the most connected in all of North America.
- Community Development Trust Fund in Nova Scotia
Information on how community stakeholders in Nova Scotia can submit proposals to access funding from the Trust.
- Community Economic Development Investment Funds
NSED administers the CEDIF program, which is a fund created to operate or invest in a business or businesses in a community.
Resources
- Regional Development Authorities
RDAs work with local development groups to enable communities to build competitiveness and capitalize on market opportunities.
- Community Business Development Corporations
CBDCs comprise a network of 41 organizations across Atlantic Canada that provide assistance to small businesses through financing, counselling and advisory services.
- Service Nova Scotia - Co-operatives Branch
The Co-operatives Branch provides startup assistance, incorporation, registration, advisory services, inspections and winding-up services to the provinces 300 co-operatives.
- Business Retention and Expansion Program
The Business Retention and Expansion Program is a community-based economic strategy in which experts gather specific information first-hand from businesses to identify and respond to their challenges, needs and opportunities. The information becomes part of a comprehensive database used to develop strategic plans and create a stronger business climate. This internationally recognized program is co-ordinated by the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities and implemented by the 13 RDAs across the province.
The program helps award-winning entrepreneurs like Dr. Abdullah Kirumira tap into even larger pools of success. For BioMedica Diagnostics Inc., BRE has played an important role in driving global competitiveness and helping the firm overcome its geographical isolation from the traditional urban centers for medical technologies.
"The BRE program, via our local Hants RDA, has been instrumental to our success by promoting our firm nationally and internationally, creating networking opportunities with international visitors and positioning us as an ambassador for the community," said CEO Dr. Abdullah Kirumira, of BioMedica Diagnostics, a BRE client.
Contact Holly Boston, Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities 902-426-9016 E-mail: hboston@nsarda.ca
Links
- Coastal Communities Network
CCN works to promote the survival and development of Nova Scotia's coastal and rural communities. A wealth of information is available on their rural gateway web portal.
- Community Economic Development Online
CED Online provides a window to community economic development in Nova Scotia.
- Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écoss
Développement économique communautaire dans les régions acadiennes et francophones de la Nouvelle-Écosse
- Nova Scotia Co-operative Council
The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council is the provincial development arm of the co-operative and credit union system.
- Nova Scotia Credit Union
The Nova Scotia Credit Union is a full-service financial institution owned by the people who use its services.
