What Is BRE and Why Is It So Important to Local Business
By Wade Cleveland
When people think about economic development, they often picture attracting new businesses to a region, and that’s certainly important. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that can have even greater impact: supporting the businesses already here.
That’s where Business Retention and Expansion, or BRE, comes in.
At its core, BRE is about building relationships with local businesses, understanding their needs, and helping them find resources. It’s a proactive approach that recognizes an important truth: strong communities are built on strong local businesses.
What is Business Retention & Expansion?
Economic development organizations use Business Retention and Expansion to connect with businesses and learn about their goals and concerns.
Rather than waiting for a business owner to reach out when they encounter a problem, BRE starts a conversation:
What challenges are you facing?
Are you planning to hire more staff?
Do you need help finding funding?
Are you considering expanding your operations?
Do you have a succession plan for the future?
By asking these questions and listening carefully to the answers, economic development organizations can help connect businesses with the right programs, services, funding, support and partners before challenges become barriers to growth.
Simply put, BRE is about helping businesses thrive where they are.
How Does BRE Work at Western REN?
At the Western Regional Enterprise Network, Business Retention and Expansion is at the heart of our BusinessNow program.
BusinessNow is a free, confidential, one-on-one service available to businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Western Region.
Every business is different. Some are just getting started. Others are growing rapidly. Some are preparing for expansion, while others are thinking about succession planning and what comes next.
Through BusinessNow, Western REN works directly with business owners to understand their needs and connect them with the supports that can help them move forward.
Sometimes that means introducing a business to funding opportunities. Other times it means helping them navigate government programs, identify workforce solutions, or access specialized expertise, like consultants.
The goal isn’t to tell businesses what to do. It’s to make sure they know what resources are available and help them find the right path forward.
Looking Beyond Today’s Challenges
One of the most valuable parts of the BRE approach is that it focuses not only on current issues but also on future opportunities.
Many businesses are so focused on day-to-day operations that they don’t always have time to step back and evaluate their processes, explore new technologies, or identify areas for growth.
That’s where programs like Western REN’s Continuous Improvement initiative come in.
Continuous Improvement is a team-based approach that helps businesses identify small, practical changes that can lead to meaningful results over time. Employees and managers work together to examine workflows, reduce inefficiencies, improve productivity, and strengthen overall performance.
These projects often lead to reduced costs, less waste, improved workflows, and stronger profitability. Just as importantly, they help create a culture where everyone is working toward continuous growth and operational excellence.
Western REN also supports businesses exploring digital transformation opportunities, applying the same BRE principles to help companies adapt, innovate, and remain competitive in a changing marketplace.
And the Western REN helps businesses put a succession plan in place. Our Business Transition Program will help you prepare to sell your business and when the time is right, help you reach buyers.
Why Should Businesses Participate?
The businesses operating in Western Nova Scotia are experts in their industries. They know their customers, their markets, and their day-to-day realities better than anyone else.
BRE gives them an opportunity to share that knowledge and ensure their voices are heard.
Participating in BusinessNow conversations can help businesses:
- Discover funding programs and resources they may not know exist.
- Access training and workforce development opportunities.
- Explore growth and expansion possibilities.
- Improve operational efficiency.
- Connect with partners and service providers.
- Address challenges before they become major obstacles.
- Build relationships with organizations dedicated to supporting their success.
Most importantly, these conversations help strengthen the business community as a whole. The more we understand the needs of local businesses, the better equipped we are to advocate for them and connect them with meaningful solutions.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Whether you’re launching a new venture, growing an established business, planning for succession, or simply looking for guidance, Western REN’s BusinessNow program is here to help.
Sometimes all it takes is a conversation to uncover a new opportunity.
To learn more about BusinessNow or to connect with Western REN’s BusinessNow Lead, contact:
Martin Nguyen
Email: businessnow@westernren.ca
Phone: 782-774-3261
