Western Regional Enterprise Network Presents 2022-2023 Report at Annual General Meeting
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – The Western Regional Enterprise Network held its annual general meeting on Tuesday night.
CEO Angelique LeBlanc was joined by the Board of Directors to discuss Western REN’s achievements and challenges for 2022-2023.
“The past year has been a recalibration of sorts, as we were able to return to longer-term planning,” LeBlanc says. “The urgency of the pandemic has passed, but we are still dealing with the fallout and repositioning of our economy and workforce.”
Interest in Western REN’s business support programs is increasing as the private sector invest in their operations. The BusinessNow program has 149 clients and 72 referrals to partners; 15 businesses are participating in the Succession Program, with two businesses having already been sold; 12 companies participated in the Continuous Improvement program.
Public sector investments are also crucial to the success of the Western Region. Work continues to increase access to reliable high-speed internet & cell service so rural businesses can keep operations on track, and energy retrofitting needs are being explored.
The Western REN also continues to address the region’s talent needs through the Connector Program. This year, Western REN has worked with 40 new connectors and 51 new connectees, helping build professional networks. As the population grows, the Local Immigration Partnership is working to ensure newcomers to the Western region have everything they need to grow their careers. A bilingual website for newcomers has been created, a survey on their labour needs was circulated, and a welcome event was held with 200 people attending, most of whom were newcomers.
“When was the last time our region could boast of population growth? Or even consider it as a realistic possibility?” says Board Chair Benjamin Shearer. “As our province, with full support of our provincial government, is building towards growth in the population, our region is already positioned well.”
The Western REN has completed year one of a three-year strategy that will continue to build a strong foundation, working together to be strategic with resources and create positive community change in the economy.
To read the full annual report and find out more about Western REN’s strategic objectives, visit the Western Regional Enterprise Network website.
https://westernren.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-WREN-Annual-Report_FNL_PRINT-REV1_nocrops.pdf
For further information, contact
Jakob Postlewaite, Communications Coordinator, Western Regional Enterprise Network, 902-317-1998 or by email jpostlewaite@westernren.ca