Blog
Comeau’s Farm Market: Growth, One Cardboard Cutout at a Time
July 22nd, 2025How a family-run market used Western REN’s Continuous Improvement program to turn a big idea into a better future. Comeau’s Farm Market in Metegan has been a local institution since 1985, when Adrien Comeau’s grandfather first opened the doors with a simple, powerful vision: to provide Clare with fresh, high-quality…
The Get Side-Tracked Business Program: Free Promotion for Trailside Businesses in Western Nova Scotia
July 11th, 2025It was the Western REN who sparked the idea, seeing an opportunity to shape this impressive asset into a year-round go-to place for visitors and locals alike. This project is funded by the Western REN and the Province of NS through the Department of Growth and Development. The province contributed…
A New Chapter: Western REN’s 5-Year Strategy
June 24th, 2025The Western REN is proud to share something big with you: our brand-new 5-Year Economic Development Strategy for 2025–2030. Titled “The Next Decade,” this plan charts an ambitious course for the future of Southwest Nova Scotia — one that’s built on innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Whether you’re a business owner,…
Connector Program Launches New Apprenticeship Focus
June 3rd, 2025Building the Skilled Trades Pipeline – One Connection at a Time The Connector Program at the Western REN has always been about creating meaningful, local connections. Connections between job seekers and established professionals. Now, we’re excited to announce an important evolution: a new focus on Apprenticeships in the Skilled Trades….
From Farmers’ Markets to Food Hubs: Shared Kitchens Fuel Local Food Innovation in Nova Scotia
May 22nd, 2025Shared kitchens for local food entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia are emerging as a powerful solution to a common challenge: access to certified kitchen space. Small-scale food businesses across the province often start with big ideas but face major roadblocks when it’s time to scale. That’s why Food Web Asset Mapping…
Roman’s New Start: A Connector Program Success Story
April 22nd, 2025From War to Welcome: Roman’s Brave Leap In April 2024, Roman Porodko began a bold new chapter of his life as a Connectee in the Western Regional Enterprise Network’s (Western REN) Connector Program. But the road to Nova Scotia was far from easy. Back in Ukraine, Roman held a Master…
The “Welcome to Western Nova Scotia” App Launches to Support Newcomers
March 18th, 2025Making Western Nova Scotia Feel Like Home: A New App for Newcomers Moving to a new community is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming—especially in smaller towns and rural areas where resources may not always be easy to find. That’s why the Western REN and Welcome Platform Tech Technologies…