902.529.0284
Invest Nova Scotia
80 Logan Road
Bridgewater
B4V 3J8
Ashley Collicutt
Business Development Advisor, South Shore Region
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Phone: 902-225-3401
Invest Nova Scotia offers incentives, programs and service for Start-Ups, anyone looking to Locate a business in Nova Scotia or Export from Nova Scotia. Popular programs to export include the Export Development Program (EDP). Ashley is very knowledgeable and willing to answer all your questions.
Business Development Bank of Canada
2000 Barrington St, Suite 1400
Halifax, NS
B3J 3K1
Jennifer Fraser
Senior Account Manager
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Phone: 902-471-6590
We support small and medium-sized businesses in all industries and at every stage of growth with money and advice.
BDC offers a wealth of advice for financing, consultation and resources, including free templates to download to get you started: https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneur-toolkit/templates-business-guides
Employment Solutions Society
215 Dominion Street
Bridgewater
B4V 2K7
Jillian Jamer
Employer Engagement Specialist
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Phone: 902-543-2479
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Phone: 866-711-0411 (Toll Free)
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Monthly calendar of offered courses: https://www.empsolutions.ca/calendar.html
We are a registered non-profit society dedicated to assisting job seekers find employment and employers find suitable workers.
Jillian, our Employer Engagement Specialist works closely with employer partners to understand their needs and create customized action plans. Jillian also collaborates with community and government organizations to identify and support regional economic development opportunities. On an operational level, she assists employers with recruitment, employee retention, promoting job opportunities, and accessing available services and funding programs.
South Shore Opportunities
Business financing, support and advice
South Shore Opportunities covers the geographic area of Queens county and Lunenburg county. South Shore Opportunities cbdc offers financial, training and advisory services to entrepreneurs.
We are not-for-profit community-based organizations run by volunteers from the local business community who firmly believe in improving the economic viability of their communities.
TYPICALLY, OUR SERVICES ARE TARGETED TO ENTREPRENEURS WHO REQUIRE CUSTOMIZED FINANCING NOT NORMALLY AVAILABLE FROM TRADITIONAL SOURCES.
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Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Business counselling, help & advice is available to small businesses. We help businesses to succeed and therefore we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate.
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Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers is available in many of our offices.
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Technical assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies.
Krista Harding, BBA,CPA, CMA
Executive Director
Tel: (902) 354.2616 Ext: 104
80 Logan Rd., Bridgewater
https://www.cbdc.ca/en/cbdc/cbdc-south-shore-opportunities-inc
Toll-Free: (888) 303.2232
Eligible small businesses can receive up to $2,400 in microgrants to help with costs related to adopting digital technology.
Click here for more information
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LUNENBURG COUNTY MICROLENDING
WE OFFER LOANS AND FREE COACHING
LIFT supplies small loans and business coaching to people in Lunenburg County who would like to start a small business or grow an existing business.
LIFT is not a bank, or a government program – we are a group of community-minded people focused on social good, and on making Lunenburg County a great place to live for everyone.
You may qualify if :
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you are a resident of Lunenburg County, or are planning to move here
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have a business idea or a growing business which might benefit our area
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need less than $10,000 to get underway
Let's talk business and help make your idea a reality!
Evelyn Ernst
Success Agent
Loan Facilitator/Business Coach
902.529.0016
The Nova Scotia Inclusive Employment Collaborative (NSIEC) has launched. The labour shortage is not a new problem and yet there is a large group of people who WANT to work and aren't. NSIEC provides access and credibility to help this untapped labour force to succeed.
Check out their website for more information:
https://www.inclusionns.ca/
As business owners, you play a pivotal role in how immigrants can succeed in Nova Scotia
The more the province is aware of the importance and benefits of an inter-culturally skilled workplace and the kind of programs that isans offer, the more everyone benefits.
Through the Work-based Trades Practical Assessment program, newcomers can have their skills assessed through a 12-week paid work experience at a trades employer, be placed in an apprenticeship, and/or challenge for trade certification. For more information visit:
https://isans.ca/program/trades-practical-assessment/
WBG
New Digital Resource Hub to Help You Enhance Your Online Presence
Delivered in partnership between Tourism Nova Scotia and Digital Nova Scotia, DigiPort is an online hub where you can connect with qualified digital service providers for one-on-one support and access articles, videos, tip sheets, webinars and more to help you be more visible online, reach more potential customers, and close the sale.
Tourism Nova Scotia offers all kinds of business support and resources. Check out their site: https://tourismns.ca/programs
Startup Canada
We help every entrepreneur by connecting local ecosystems from coast to coast to coast, empowering women to catalyze change, supporting exporters with global goals, and bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and the Government of Canada.
• startup women
• startup global
• startup gov
• business owners toolbox
Community Futures
https://communityfuturescanada.ca/
We operate 267 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Each office delivers small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.
Futurpreneur
https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/
From business plan to business success. We offer financing, mentoring and expertise to get your startup off the ground. If you’re 18 – 39 and ready to launch a business, we’re here to help you.
Mashup Lab
Start Now Incubator – catered to rural, indigenous, diverse and underserved women in Canada
Women’s Business Group
https://www.womensbusinessgroup.net/
We are powerful worldwide network of like-minded professional women. Our supportive community is a place to connect, share ideas, and collaborate with other successful women. Apply now to join the WBG.
MENTAL HEALTH Resources
Immediate Crisis Support (24/7)
Nova Scotia Mental Health & Addictions Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167
Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Crisis Text Line: WELLNESS 741741
Hope for Wellness Hotline (Indigenous Peoples) 1-855-242-3310
Publicly Funded Services (Nova Scotia Health)
Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service: 1-855-922-1122
(Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Tues/Thurs until 8 pm). This is the entry point for accessing services.
CMHA “At Work” Program: 902-543-7082
A free national program managed by the CMHA Nova Scotia Division. It connects individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges with inclusive employers. It offers career coaching, financial assistance connection, and ongoing job-retention support. No formal medical diagnosis is required.
NS Health - Adult Community Mental Health & Addictions:
Provides assessment and treatment, including clinics at 14 High St (Lunenburg)
1-877-334-3431 and 197 Dufferin St (Bridgewater) 902-543-5400
811: For non-emergency advice and information
Community & Specialized Support
Second Story Women’s Centre: 902-543-1315
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Offers crisis counselling and support for women
Men’s Helpline (Nova Scotia/Canada): Call 2-1-1 (or 1-855-466-4994)
• Free, confidential, 24/7 support for men
Healthy Minds Navigator: 902-404-3504
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Peer-based support for navigating the mental health system
Addiction Services: 1-855-922-1122 (via Intake)
Compassionate Connections (Lunenburg): 902-640-6565
• Private therapeutic services info@compassionateconnectiontherapy.com
Support for Entrepreneurs:
Futurpreneur – supporting young entrepreneurs:
https://futurpreneur.ca/en/blog/7-tips-to-support-your-mental-health-as-a-young-entrepreneur/
Entrepreneur Mental Health Association (EMHA): https://www.entrepreneurmhassociation.com/
BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) offers more than just financial support: https://www.bdc.ca/en/about/entrepreneurs-well-being/resources
For Employers and Organizations (Training & Compliance)
CMHA Workplace Training Modules:
The CMHA offers targeted corporate workshops like Every Mind Matters and Communication Skills for Psychological Safety.
Organizations can request virtual or in-person delivery via the CMHA Training Hub, https://novascotia.cmha.ca/training/ or by emailing education@cmhans.ca
Psychological Health and Safety Resource Centre:
A joint initiative by WCB Nova Scotia and the Department of Labour.
It hosts toolkits and training information aligned with national psychological safety standards through the WorkSafeForLife Resource Centre. https://psychsafety.worksafeforlife.ca/
HealthyMinds@Work:
Provided by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), this digital tool provides employers with actionable guides to manage stress, anxiety, and depression within their teams.
Access is available directly via the Nova Scotia Health Tools Portal
https://mha.nshealth.ca/en/tools/healthymindswork
Partners For Care (PFC): 902-221-2689
Complementing NSH, PFC partners with businesses and organizations to improve healthcare and to make life easier for patients, health providers, and communities across Nova Scotia https://www.partnersforcarens.ca/
Opening in 2026: Welltide Health by Partners for Care, 60 Nathan Cirillo Road, Cookville