The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) model is a dynamic "best practices" approach to economic development that encourages the stability and growth of local companies.

Six Regional Development Authorities (RDA's) representing eight counties will implement strategies to positively influence the decision to stay and grow in Nova Scotia.  The project is being coordinated by the Nova Scotia Association of RDAs, with over $1 million in financial support from the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia.  The Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and other provincial partners including Nova Scotia Business Inc. and the Department of Education are also supporting the project.

The specific focus of the initiative in Kings County is to visit a variety of businesses, in various sectors, sizes and locations, and through a questionnaire instrument, gather business intelligence on the nature of opportunities and challenges that business owners and managers face in the County.  The initiative also entails visits to large organizations in the County that work closely with suppliers of business services and products.  For example, the Valley Regional Health Authority, 14 Wing Greenwood and the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board are three of the County's largest employers and purchasers of services and products.

If specific issues arise out of visits that can be addressed locally, a Local Action Team are assigned specific concerns pertaining to their area of expertise and responsibility.  The Local Action Team consists of members representing various service providers in Kings County, including:

Through a sophisticated information management database system and regular face-to-face meetings every four to six weeks, the Local Action Team monitors how issues are being resolved and opportunities are identified.

The Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities has recently launched a new website for the Business Retention and Expansion Program, that provides information on the award-winning business program, as well as business statistics and guidance on how businesses can access the service. The website also features a portal for the RDA's economic development practitioners to share best practices and business intelligence in order to better serve their business clients and communities.

To view the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities newly launched Business Retention and Expansion website, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Colby Clarke, Development Officer (Business Development)
Kings RDA
Phone:  (902) 678-2298
Fax:  (902) 678-2324
Email:  cclarke@kingsrda.ca