Econ.Dev't Agency News

the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program is at the heart of everything we do here at ADEDA. Why? First and foremost, it gives us the opportunity to express our thanks for the contribution you've made to the community. BRE also enables us to effectively link local, provincial and federal programs and services. We also get a better sense of the specific business issues our entrepreneurs in Annapolis Digby are facing. Through the BRE process, we have learned that many local companies would like to improve their marketing skills. Here’s a great opportunity to do so:

INTERNET MARKETING FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Expert Internet marketing know-how can hard to come by, particularly when you’re working flat out at running your own business. The Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative, with support from the Department of Economic and Rural Development, is sponsoring an inexpensive internet marketing workshop. Session topics include ‘Building Websites that Sell’ and ‘What is Social Media and How Do I Use It?’ You can also sign up for free 1-on-1 consultations with experts who will critique your website.

TV SHOW GENERATES VALUABLE EXPOSURE
Speaking of marketing, Chef Lynn Crawford really gave our region a boost with the broadcast of her new TV show, Pitchin' In, on Canada's Food Network, earlier this month. Aside from all the great PR for our lobster industry, the media time is worth $288,000 to our region, a figure well beyond our current marketing budgets.

STUDENT JOBS PROGRAM
The Federal government has announced the launch of Canada Summer Jobs 2010, which supports work experiences for students and helps provide important community services. Funding will be offered to not-for-profit, public-sector and small private-sector employers to create high-quality summer job opportunities for young people 15 to 30 years old who are full-time students and intend to return to school in the next school year. Here are the details.

Is Nova Scotia Running Out of Agricultural Land?
The short and long term future of the existing agricultural lands will be the subject of a province-wide consultation later this month. According to Canadian census figures, cleared farmland has declined steadily since at least 1901. There are only 181,915 hectares of active farmland left in Nova Scotia, with a large concentration here in the Annapolis Valley. A series of public meetings will take place to look at what the future holds for our agricultural resources.

GOING SOMEWHERE?
Winter driving is hazardous so please remember to check road conditions before getting behind the wheel. You can do this by viewing highway webcams or simply by calling 511. The province is, in fact, asking for your feedback on the 511 highway service info line … do you have suggestions for improvements?

Here’s something for those who would like to take part in the local arts scene: Secret Seeds, one of the region’s newest cultural endeavors, is an event built around a series of short plays. Organizers will be meeting on Saturday to discuss ideas … you are invited to share your expertise and enthusiasm!