Business Development

Creating a strong and diverse business climate involves providing assistance to businesses interested in locating in Colchester, those wishing to expand in our region and those wishing to start something new. We offer a range of services including property sales, business advise, and loans.

For information on locating to Colchester view www.wherebusinessmoves.ca.

The Truro:::Colchester Region is one of North America’s most cost competitive locations for business.

Our central location positions us at the crossroads of transportation – by road, air, rail or sea – which is why many of the top manufacturers and distributors in Atlantic Canada call us home.

Strategically located on the tip of Canada’s east coast, Truro:::Colchester is close to two international airports as well as our own regional airport at the Debert Air Industrial Park. We are less than an hour from the Port of Halifax, the third busiest in the nation. As the last outbound port to Europe and the Mediterranean and the first inbound port of call on the Great Circle Route, the Port provides business ready access to the world’s major shipping lanes.

Truro:::Colchester also lies at the heart of Atlantic Canada’s ground transportation network offering single carrier, double-stack rail service to Chicago and a world-class highway system serving Atlantic Canada and the American Northeast.
Add to these advantages one of the lowest operating costs in North America (not to mention our leading position among G7 countries), our idyllic lifestyle, and a community that enables success, and you begin to get a sense of the Truro:::Colchester Region. Our slogan says it all – we are where business moves.

If you are interested in a region that doesn’t fit the mold, check out all the advantages of a Truro:::Colchester location at www.wherebusinessmoves.ca or contact us at 1.866.227.6182.

For information on resources available to business in Colchester view www.colchesterbusinessgateway.ca.

The following is a list of services provided at the Colchester Regional Development Agency:

Business Park Sales, Leasing & Management:

There are six business parks in Colchester:

• Truro Industrial Park
• Colchester Park
• Debert Air Industrial Park
• Kemptown Park
• AgriTECH Park
• Truro Power Centre

And Stewiacke Park under development. Descriptions of each are available on our web site. Contact JoAnn Fewer for more information.

Investment Recruitment

We will provide you all necessary information on available real estate, local statistics, local workforce, available housing and quality of life in Colchester as well as appropriate referrals. Contact JoAnn Fewer for more information.

Business Retention and Expansion

Let us assist you with your business expansion ideas. We’ll act as a broker to connect you with appropriate funding sources and services, and assist you with your growth plans. Contact Jo Ann Fewer for more information.

Business Start Ups

Need assistance with your business idea? Not sure where to start? CoRDA, with our partners, provides a variety of information workshops and seminars to assist with starting your business. Check out www.colchesterbusinessgateway.ca or contact Terry Hearn.

Self – Employment Benefit Program

Service Canada provides a program for individuals in receipt of Employment Insurance to allow them to receive benefits while growing their business. Assistance for this program provided by CoRDA. Contact Terry Hearn for more information.

Business Resource Centre

Our Business Resource Centre, which is part of the Community Business Resource Network created by the Canada Nova Scotia Business Centre, is a free on-site access to resources that will help local businesses succeed and grow. Services include an Internet-enabled public access computer; a resource library of business related materials on topics from business planning to marketing and from financing to exporting.  A list of some of the many publications at the centre can be found at: www.cbsc.org/ns/library.cfm?submit=5&grp=cbrn&loc=Truro.

Business Loans

Northern Opportunities for Business Ltd.
Loans up to $150,000 are available to local companies. For more information on loans and other programs, contact the Northern Opportunities for Business (NOBL) Business Analyst, Neil Pardy at 902-895-6625 or check out www.nobl.cbdc.ca.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
ACOA offers a variety of loans and services to businesses and organizations throughout Atlantic Canada. Contact Darlene Stevenson at 902-895-2743 or browse www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca for more information.

Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Although not physically located at the Colchester Regional Development Agency, NSBI staff, David Copus will assist you with your business idea through various programs. Contact David at 902-893-6156.

Office of Economic Development
Responsible for creating economic policy and developing effective economic analysis tools, the Office of Economic Development can assist you with many business information requests. Contact 902-893-6212 for more information.