Business
Economic Development Officer: Jeffery Bacon
Phone: 902-694-2161
Email:
Amherst is ideally located in the geographic center of the Atlantic provinces with excellent transportation links by road, rail and air to the rest of the world. We are also the gateway community into Nova Scotia through New Brunswick, representing northern Nova Scotia's service center for those visiting the area. With a focus on aerospace, machining, food processing, and distribution, Amherst is the ideal location for successful companies to grow.
Here's what the Business Development department does to support and grow business in Amherst:
Demographic and business support
- Provide strategic advice and policy recommendations that support new business start‐ups and existing business in the community.
- Conduct surveys and research on economic development opportunities.
- Provide advice on market analysis and economic opportunities.
- Maintain strong communications with existing businesses and industry.
- Coordinate local economic development initiatives through identifying and producing materials such as business directories, statistical brochures, community profiles, and website and social media information.
Support business initiatives at the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre
- Lead, partner on, or support activities related to business development being undertaken with the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre.
- Coordinate business activities in the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre.
- Assist local organizations, businesses and individuals to develop, promote and take advantage of economic development opportunities and major projects.
Grow our population and economy
- Implement strategies to increase immigration and decrease out-migration.
- Cultivate partnerships with educational institutions to support entrepreneurship and business growth in Amherst.
- Act as a liaison for local organizations, businesses, and individuals, connecting with representatives of government, business, and industry concerning economic development.
- Complement the Cumberland Business Connector's work with investment readiness, skill/training and business retention and expansion programs.
- Share information and collaborate with regional, provincial, federal and other economic development officers and professional associations.
Respond to business investment opportunities
- Analyze and provide recommendations on economic development opportunities.
- Provide advice on market analysis and economic opportunities.
- Provide economic and business development information to interest groups, other levels of government and business development proponents.
Competitive Amherst Businesses
Waldale Manufacturing
Emmerson Packaging
Mansour's Menswear
Bradean's Tool & Die
Videos are shared with permission of the Cumberland Business Connector.
Article Praises Amherst
Business View Magazine, an international publication, calls Amherst a hidden gem. To read the article please go to: Business View Civil & Municipal | July 2022 (businessviewmagazine.com)
- pdf Joint CED Strategy 2021 (1.05 MB)
- pdf 2019 Community Economic Analysis and Dashboard (8.24 MB)
- pdf Commercial Development Support Bylaw P-9 (602 KB)
- pdf Strategic Priorities (2.65 MB)
- pdf 2010 Centre First Downtown Action Strategy (12.59 MB)
- pdf 2010 Authentically Amherst: Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy (530 KB)
- pdf 2015 Demographic Analysis (352 KB)
- pdf 2013 Regional Marketing Strategy (3.51 MB)
- Business Directory Form
The following organizations can assist you in evaluating your business idea and will provide you with the support and guidance that will help make your idea become a reality.
Cumberland Development Corporation
As CBDCs, we assist in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. Typically, our services are targeted to entrepreneurs who require customized financing not normally available from traditional sources.
5 Ratchford Street
Amherst, NS, B4H 1X2
Phone: 902-667-5700
Fax: 902-897-1452
Website: Cumberland Development Corporation
Cumberland Business Connector
The Cumberland Business Connector is a business-led, not-for-profit organization. Our focus is to foster a strong business environment to strengthen Cumberland County by removing barriers to business and connecting businesses with the resources they need to be successful.
5 Ratchford St.
Amherst, NS B4H 1X2
Phone: 902-614-7214
Email:
Website: Cumberland Business Connector
IGNITE Atlantic
IGNITE Atlantic is a rural innovation hub dedicated to sparking change in rural communities throughout Nova Scotia with two offices in Yarmouth and New Glasgow. We have a focus on helping early-stage companies get off the ground and are committed to fostering a culture of innovation. By bringing together youth, communities, startups, and industries we aim to explore and implement solutions that create opportunities across the province.
IGNITE Northern
345 Temperance Street
New Glasgow, NS B2H 3P7
Email:
Website: IGNITE Atlantic
Invest Nova Scotia
Invest Nova Scotia offers a broad range of services for business. We know that a strong economy starts at home, so we're helping Nova Scotia companies grow through service offerings like financing, export development and business advice. If you are a small to medium-sized business in Nova Scotia, we want to talk to you. Visit our advisory services, export programs, and financing links to find out how we can help your business grow and succeed.
Contact: David Copus
Phone: 893-6156
Fax: 902-893-6108
Email:
Website: Invest Nova Scotia
Services for Businesses
Link to the Nova Scotia Government Online service for business including Tax Commission, Registry of Lobbyists and Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
Website: Services for Businesses
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
ACOA provides financial assistance to businesses in the following sectors/areas: manufacturing & processing (involves value-added activity) tourism, aquaculture innovation (new or improved product service or process) information and technology-based industries, non-commercial services to businesses that are not personal in nature.
Phone: 667-3638
Toll Free: 1-800-565-1228
Fax: 902-667-2270
Email:
Website: ACOA
Black Business Initiative (BBI)
The Black Business Initiative (BBI) is a Province-wide business development initiative committed to fostering the growth of businesses owned by members of the Nova Scotia Black Community. It also places priority on educating Black business owners in the operation of their business - from marketing to budgeting to securing funding.
1575 Brunswick Street,
Halifax, NS, B3J 2G1
Phone: 902-426-2224
Toll Free: 800-668-1010
Fax: 902-426-6530
Website: Black Business Initiative (BBI)
Centre for Women in Business
For the past twelve years the Centre has assisted many entrepreneurs, providing them with the support, resources, training and information they needed to start or grow their businesses.
Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS, B3M 2J6
Phone: 902-457-6449
Fax: 902-457-6455
Email:
Website: Centre for Women in Business
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.
Website: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Canadian Innovation Centre
The Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC) is Canada's leading organization dedicated to assisting inventors and innovative companies. The range of services includes invention evaluation, technology due diligence, market research, and education programs.
490 Dutton Drive, Unit 1A,
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 6H7
Toll Free: 800-265-4559
Email:
Website: Canadian Innovation Centre
