Small Business
How Sissiboo Coffee Roasters Found Their Perfect Match Through the Western REN Connector Program
Good coffee brings people together. And sometimes, the right program connects exactly the right people at exactly the right moment. 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 farmers’ market stall across Nova Scotia, there’s a real chance…
The Hidden Job Market: Why Who You Know Still Matters in Western Nova Scotia
By 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, newcomers, and career changers, are…
What Is BRE and Why Is It So Important to Local Business
By 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. At its core, BRE is…
Western Nova Scotia Labour Market Survey
By: 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 businesses across our region, from…
Western NS Rising Podcast Launches June 23
We’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. We’ll talk to local leaders,…
Building Western NS’s Workforce One Connection at a Time
By 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 across our region. The Connector…
Business Resilience in Western Nova Scotia
From 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 and seafood, tourism, agriculture, and…
Critical Business Roundtable: Insights & Next Steps
On 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 and opportunities shaping our region’s…