CEO MESSAGE
I often hear the comment,
“Wow!
I didn’t know you do that at NSBI!” In fact, even I sometimes have difficulty
painting a complete picture of
what we do at NSBI, because the truth
is that we do many things at NSBI.
My colleagues in
business financing would tell you we support the growth and retention of local business, while my
investment attraction team would say we work to bring new companies
to Nova Scotia to strengthen the economy. The
trade development department would say we’re connecting Nova Scotia companies
with partners around the world, and my colleagues in
venture capital would tell you we’re giving bright entrepreneurs the assistance they
need to build a great business.
They’re all right. But above all, we work in the best interest of Nova Scotians to develop a thriving business community. This newsletter is an opportunity to illustrate the variety of work being done at NSBI and throughout the province. But this is just a sample of what’s happening in Nova Scotia.
We want to reach out quarterly to share not only what we’re doing, but what others are doing to make Nova Scotia a better place to live and work. I encourage you to share this information with your friends and colleagues. And, if you have a story to tell, we hope you will
share it with us.
Stephen Lund
President & CEO, Nova Scotia Business Inc.
"We work in the best interest of Nova Scotians to develop a thriving business community."
>>TOP
REVIEW
Game Developers Conference 2011 - Moscone Center, San Fransisco, CA
At this year’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, NSBI, ACOA and partners showed off some of the province’s best developers. With representatives from studios such as theREDspace, Xona Games, Longtail Studios, Twisted Oak Studios and HB Studios, it was clear that Nova Scotia is a competitive player in the gaming sector.
Nova Scotia’s position in the sector has become increasingly exciting. Both Dalhousie University and Acadia University have added digital gaming to their computer science programs, and a revamped digital tax credit is helping local studios be more globally competitive. This is a competitive sector with many jurisdictions vying for business. We should all be proud to know that in this arena, as in many others, we can and do compete very well.
This mission was a great example of our trade team and investment attraction team coming together to work collaboratively to grow local businesses and attract new faces to the game. We’ve had great feedback from our clients and our presence at the Game Developers Conference let companies like Disney Online Studios, Nickelodeon and MTV Networks know that Nova Scotia supports its developers and supports the industry
For information on the Game Development Sector in Nova Scotia, visit:
Your Studio Here and contact: Jayson Hilchie or Evan Radisic.
>>TOP
DEPTH + SCOPE
Our colleague Arturo Mena was the recipient of an award from the Forum for International Trade Training for an International Marketing Plan. The award was won for work done as part of Arturo’s pursuit of his Certified International Trade Professional designation.
In April, NSBI sponsored a series of roundtable sessions hosted by International
Fund Investment, one of the first publications to provide analysis on both the European alternative and mainstream asset management industries. The roundtables featured representatives from the industry discussing what will have
changed in fund administration in 2015. The roundtable sessions took place in London, Dublin and Luxembourg.
In June, our colleague Wendy Lutherwas invited to participate in the Caribbean-Canadian Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue (CCELD). Wendy was able to expand her network and engage with leaders in the Caribbean region, an experience she can now share with the Nova Scotia business community. Immediately following the CCELD, Wendy led a trade mission in partnership with ACOA to Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Wendy’s participation in the CCELD helped assist Nova Scotia companies in market and gain media coverage at a Taste of Nova Scotia reception.
>>TOP
PROMOTE
Export Achievement Awards
TeamSpace Canada was named Nova Scotia’s Exporter of the Year at the annual Export Achievement Awards luncheon, held on May 13. The awards recognize companies in Nova Scotia for excellence in exporting. Regional winners includeStark International of New Glasgow and Tracy’s Wood N Things of Yarmouth.
>>TOP
NOVA SCOTIA. BUILT TO BUILD.
In 2010, the Government of Canada introduced the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) that could have a profound impact on Nova Scotia. It means that Halifax Shipyard could be chosen as one of two major providers of shipbuilding to the Canadian government. Business, community and government leaders in the province are working together to support Halifax Shipyard through
ShipsStartHere.ca and NSBI is proud to be a partner. Be sure to visit the web site for more information on the bid.
>>TOP
OVERVIEW
Defence, Security & Aerospace Day in Ottawa
On May 30, Premier Darrell Dexter led a delegation to Ottawa for a day dedicated to giving Nova Scotia companies a chance to listen to industry leaders discuss opportunities in the defence, security and aerospace industry. One area of focus was Nova Scotia’s shipbuilding history.
NSBI works with companies in the industry that are regarded for their expertise, skill, quality and innovation. Shipbuilding is part of our heritage, and for a large number of Nova Scotia businesses, it’s the foundation of their future.
See more on the Defence, Security & Aerospace sector in Nova Scotia, and contact Troy Sawler or Alan Forsey.
>>TOP
AROUND NOVA SCOTIA
We are lucky enough at NSBI to work with many partners throughout the province. Those partners and others are making fantastic contributions to Nova Scotia and deserve recognition for the work they are doing in the province. Below are just a few that we would like to share with you and we hope that you will share them with others too...
- The Cape Breton Partnership helped launch the Integrated Strategic Framework for Economic Prosperity, a roadmap that will show how the region’s economy will grow and who will be responsible for making it happen.
- A client of ours, Unique Solutions, has been having incredible success lately with its innovative myBestFit technology. We’ve been watching as Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360 and others cover the fantastic work done by our friends and partners.
- On June 21, NSBI hosted International Fund Investment (IFI) as it released the results of its study on the “Future of Fund Administration”. Following the results, a panel of local experts provided insight on what the results mean for Nova Scotia to an audience that included fund administrators and business and community leaders. The event was taped and will be viewable on IFI’s website.
>>TOP
NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS
LED Roadway Lighting
LED Roadway Lighting has secured a $4-million private-sector investment from venture capital firm Cycle Capital. NSBI helped LED Roadway Lighting attract Cycle Capital’s investment with a $4-million follow-on equity investment. Chuck Cartmill, CEO of LED Roadway Lighting, will also invest $3.6 million in his company.
TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Inc.
TD Insurance Meloche Monnex will be creating up to 140 new full-time jobs in Nova Scotia over the next six years. This growth is being supported by NSBI through a $1.8-million payroll rebate. This payroll rebate will help TD Insurance hire and train new graduates in Nova Scotia.
Citco Fund Services
The world’s leading hedge fund administrator, Citco Fund Services, plans to create up to 200 more jobs in Nova Scotia by 2014. Citco and NSBI signed an extension to the company’s payroll rebate, consistent with the jobsHere plan to bring high-value jobs to Nova Scotia.
Cherubini
One of Atlantic Canada’s largest steel fabrication companies, Cherubini, will be expanding its operations and creating new high-value jobs for Nova Scotians. A $15.1-million term loan through NSBI will be supporting this growth. Announced on March 24, the loan demonstrates a commitment to the jobsHere plan through strategic investment in business.
Maritime Paper Products
Maritime Paper Products Ltd. will be able to improve its productivity and purchase new equipment, thanks to a $2.1-million term loan. NSBI is supporting this growth and is also providing the company with a $201,375 payroll rebate tied to sustaining its 118 full-time production employees.
>>TOP