Western REN Releases Annual Report, Business Plan
Following our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, June 23rd, the Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN) is pleased to share our 2025-2026 Annual Report and our 2026-2027 Business Plan. Both are now available on our website.
A Year Worth Celebrating
It’s been a year of transition and renewal for the Western REN. New faces joined our team and Board this year. A five-year renewal of our Inter-Municipal Agreement reaffirmed our seven municipal partners’ shared commitment to the region. Through it all, our focus on the businesses and communities of Western Nova Scotia never wavered.
The Annual Report shows we supported 70 BusinessNow clients this year. Seven companies took part in Continuous Improvement projects. Our Connector Program built 84 new relationships between local talent and employers across the region.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of the year was the transformation of more than 200 kilometres of rail trail into the newly branded Dark Sky T’Railway. The project earned international recognition with a 2026 Business Retention and Expansion International Award of Excellence. It connects 40 trail-side businesses with new visitors and opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The 2026-2027 Business Plan sets our sights on the road ahead. We’ll continue strengthening private sector growth, deepening public sector collaboration, and tackling our region’s talent needs head-on. This year, we’re also launching a dedicated push to help local businesses explore opportunities in the defense and marine security supply chain. It’s a natural fit for a region built on shipbuilding, marine expertise, and craftsmanship.
We’re proud of what we accomplished together this past year. We’re even more excited about what’s next. None of this happens without the trust and collaboration of our municipal partners, funders, business community, and neighbours across Western Nova Scotia. Thank you for being part of the journey.