Blog
Western Nova Scotia Labour Market Survey
June 17th, 2026By: Shelley Bellefontaine, Western Regional Enterprise Network What does the labour market really look like in Western Nova Scotia? We asked the people who know best, the region’s employers. In March 2026, the Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN) launched the Western Nova Scotia Labour Market Survey, reaching out to…
Western NS Rising Podcast Launches June 23
June 15th, 2026We’re excited to announce the launch of Western Nova Scotia Rising: The Western REN Podcast, hosted by Wade Cleveland. This new series shines a light on the people, businesses, and ideas helping shape the future of Western Nova Scotia. We’ll explore the stories behind the region’s growth, innovation, and success….
Celebrating the Volunteers Behind the Dark Sky T’Railway
June 12th, 2026Behind every great trail are people who give time and energy to make sure it stays accessible and well maintained. The Dark Sky T’Railway volunteers play an essential role in supporting one of our region’s valued community assets. We needed to recognize the volunteers who help keep the Dark Sky…
Building Western NS’s Workforce One Connection at a Time
May 20th, 2026By Shelley Bellefontaine, Connector Program If we want stronger communities, we need stronger workforce pipelines, and that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional connection. In my work with the Western Regional Enterprise Network Connector Program, I have the privilege of connecting people with opportunity and supporting economic growth…
Why Western Nova Scotia Tourism Matters
April 23rd, 2026By Wade Cleveland, Western REN Photo Credit: Le Caron It’s National Tourism Week! We are celebrating both the impact and the potential for tourism in Western Nova Scotia. Tourism is often looked at as a secondary industry, valued for its visibility but not always for its economic weight. But that…
Business Resilience in Western Nova Scotia
April 8th, 2026From Uncertainty to Action If you run a business in Western Nova Scotia, you don’t need another abstract lecture on resiliency. You’ve been living it. From rising costs and labour shortages to export uncertainty and climate events, volatility is no longer the exception. It is the operating environment. Across fishing…
Critical Business Roundtable: Insights & Next Steps
March 19th, 2026On February 26, nearly 40 business leaders, industry representatives, and community partners gathered at the Rodd Grand Hotel in Yarmouth for the Critical Business Roundtable. Hosted collaboratively by the Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN), Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, and CBDC Yarmouth, the event sparked candid discussions on the challenges…
Discover Nova Scotia’s Dark Sky T’Railway
March 12th, 2026Powered by Western REN, Fueling Local Economies Stretching more than 200 kilometres across three counties and seven municipalities, the Dark Sky T’Railway is one of Western Nova Scotia’s most connected outdoor experiences. It links Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby County communities, businesses and coastal landscapes. And it welcomes walkers, runners, cyclists,…