Blog
From a Conversation to a Career: How One Person Found His Spark at Ryan’s Electrical
July 15th, 2026Some career paths start with a guidance counsellor. Jaimus LeBlanc-Joyce’s started with a family friend, a coffee shop, and a program he’d never heard of. By Wade Cleveland, Western REN A One-Guy Truck That Grew Ryan’s Electrical didn’t start big. Back in 2000, it was Mike Ryan and a truck,…
How Sissiboo Coffee Roasters Found Their Perfect Match Through the Western REN Connector Program
July 9th, 2026Good coffee brings people together. And sometimes, the right program connects exactly the right people at exactly the right moment. By Wade Cleveland, Western REN Sixteen Years, One Tiny Hallway, and a Dream Worth Funding If you’ve ever sipped a cup of coffee in a café, hotel, art gallery, or…
The Hidden Job Market: Why Who You Know Still Matters in Western Nova Scotia
July 8th, 2026By Shelley Bellefontaine, Connector Program Manager You’ve polished your résumé. You applied to every job posting you can find. You’ve refreshed your inbox more times than you’d like to admit. And yet, nothing! If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Across Western Nova Scotia, talented people such as recent graduates,…
What Is BRE and Why Is It So Important to Local Business
June 26th, 2026By 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….
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…