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Due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Fiona and the resulting clean-up efforts, the Cape Breton Partnership Sydney Office is closed until power and internet are restored. Our Staff across the Island remain active, able, and willing to support local businesses and communities where possible as power and internet access allow.

As the clean-up and recovery effort continues across our Island, we hope you, your families, and your communities remain safe.

If you have any questions or need to reach a member of our team during this time, please send all inquiries to info@capebretonpartnership.com and we will connect you with a member of our team. As access to power and internet is currently unreliable in a variety of communities, please note our response times may be reduced until full access is returned. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Helpful Phone Numbers and Links

As per the Province of Nova Scotia, the following is a list of resources, links, and phone numbers to keep in mind:

Financial Support Information from Province of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotian residents and businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Fiona will receive financial support from the Province.

Support for individuals

Support for small businesses and non-profits

Click here for Supports and Applications

Local Government Updates

To keep up-to-date with Provincial and local response to the Hurricane and the resulting clean-up efforts, visit:

Cape Breton – Unama’ki, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is inviting the public to help recognize those in the community who have made a significant impact on Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s economy with the 2022 Economic Impact Awards.

Awarded annually at the Cape Breton Partnership’s Investor Summit, the Economic Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s economy. Nominations are considered based on their significant contribution to the local economy through innovation, entrepreneurship, new investments, nominees’ commitment to the region, and the work they have accomplished that has had a positive impact on the economy during the past two years.

“As Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership takes great pride in celebrating the hard work and contributions of local passionate leaders and organizations,” says Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “The Economic Impact Awards were created as a way to recognize those who go above and beyond to promote economic growth and prosperity in their region and in their local business community.”

The Economic Impact Awards are announced annually with recipients recognized at the annual Cape Breton Partnership Investor Summit. The 2022 Investor Summit will be held October 20 at the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands in Ingonish Beach, Victoria County.

“We are thrilled to be able to gather in-person at the 2022 Investor Summit and recognize those who have made an impact over the past two years, during what has been an unprecedented time for businesses and the world as a whole,” added Mattheis.

Only nominations received from Investors of the Cape Breton Partnership by 4:00 p.m. on September 23, 2022, will be considered. For more information or to submit a nomination for the 2022 Economic Impact Awards, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com/economic-impact-awards/.

Submit a Nomination Today!

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Media Contact
Jeremy Martell
Director of Communications, Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. Learn more at https://capebretonpartnership.com/.

Cape Breton – Unama’ki, NS – Individuals interested in contributing to the future of Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s economy are invited to submit a nomination for the Cape Breton Partnership’s Board of Directors for 2022-2023.

Individuals approved by the Board of Directors will be announced at the annual Investor Summit, being held October 20 at the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands in Ingonish Beach. Members of the Board of Directors serve a minimum three-year term.

“As Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership benefits greatly from the valuable guidance and participation from its current and past Board members,” says Tyler Mattheis, Cape Breton Partnership President & CEO. “Our team is excited to meet and work with new and returning members of the Board this October and into the future.”

Nominations for the Board of Directors will only be accepted from investors of the Cape Breton Partnership until Friday, September 9, 2022. For more information or to make a nomination, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com/board-nominations/.

Submit a Nomination Today

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Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell
Director of Communications, Cape Breton Partnership
902-631-5442
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. Learn more at https://capebretonpartnership.com/.

Held on June 9, 2022, this is the final session of the Ocean Farming Series held by the Cape Breton Partnership and Nova Scotia Community College: Ocean Farming – Innovation & Readiness.

The session featured panel presentations and discussions with Charlene LeBlanc, Aquaculture Consultant & Owner of LeBlanc Seeded Lines, Ernie Porter, Owner of Town Point Consulting, and Bailey Moritz, Program Coordinator, World Wildlife Fund. The session was moderated by Tim Menke and Gene Kersey, Co-founders and Directors of Arc of the Coast Eastern Cape Breton Co-operative Alliance, who both possess extensive knowledge of the sector in the region.

This event is part of the Cape Breton Partnership’s and Nova Scotia Community College’s Ocean Farming Series, bringing our local Unama’ki – Cape Breton business community together to hear from industry experts on a range of topics important to the success and growth of the ocean farming sector on Cape Breton Island.

For more information:

Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
carly@capebretonpartnership.com 

Amanda Mombourquette
Nova Scotia Community College
902.227.7836
Amanda.Mombourquette@nscc.ca

About the Cape Breton Partnership:

The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

About Nova Scotia Community College

NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 130 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Learn more at https://www.nscc.ca/.

Findings from a 2019 research study on barriers to women in business have grown into an opportunity for Indigenous youth in Cape Breton – Unamak’i to develop and refine their entrepreneurship and employment skills.

In 2019, the Cape Breton Partnership developed and led a research study with First Nations community partners titled Barriers to Success For Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs in Cape Breton – Unama’ki. Through this research, it was made clear that Indigenous communities wanted to offer local youth the unique experiences of building, growing, and developing their own businesses with support programming offered in their own communities for the best experience. In response, with support from Unama’ki College, Mash-up Lab, and an Indigenous women advisory committee, the Cape Breton Partnership launched the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program in 2021.

Early-2022 Program Participants received their certificates from Cape Breton Partnership Program Coordinator, Keith LeLievre, and program partner Membertou Entrepreneur Centre Manager, Eileen Paul.

With support from Employment and Social Development Canada, and through the Youth Employment Skills Strategy, the program began with an aim to deliver generalized entrepreneurship skills for 18-to-30-year-old Indigenous youth in all five First Nations Communities of Unama’ki – Cape Breton. Participants would learn about important and valuable entrepreneurship skills, all while engaging with local entrepreneurs and professionals with knowledge and experiences to share with support and participation from program partners with Membertou Entrepreneur Centre.

As the program began to roll out, it was discovered that many participants had a passion for craft-specific business ventures. It was from this community feedback that a program expansion was developed to focus on the skills most needed for craft entrepreneurs.

Program Participant Logan Paul received his certificate from Cape Breton Partnership Program Coordinator, Denis Thibeault.

“I am very privileged to get to support these aspiring indigenous entrepreneurs in following their dreams,” says Denis Thibeault, Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator for the Cape Breton Partnership. “Some join the program with strong ideas on what to work towards and others are open to inspiration. All go through self-discovery and growth through the program and it’s amazing to be part of these positive transformations.”

To date, over 40 participants have graduated from the general entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship for crafters programs, with another couple dozen on track to graduate in the coming months. Many graduates have gone on to use these new skills for post-secondary education or to leverage new employment opportunities in their communities. The programs have also facilitated 4 graduates so far in starting up and launching their own businesses locally, with more working towards that goal.

Program Participants visited several local Unama’ki – Cape Breton businesses and organizations, including the Friends United Centre in Richmond County.

Chanelle Julian of Eskasoni First Nation participated in the October 2021 cohort of the program, taking her passion for acrylic and ink-based art with her to hone in the program. Having taken an interest in the arts since an early age, Julian notes her family’s strong artistic presence as a driving factor in her art, including her great-grandmother, renowned and celebrated Mi’kmaw poet Rita Joe.

Through the program, Julian started with 4 weeks of learning in her own community through a variety of experienced speakers and facilitators and followed later with a work placement with Eltuek Arts Centre in Sydney along with fellow participant Isaac Gould. This work placement lead to Julian’s first ever public showcase of her art through a collaborative installation that she and Gould worked on for two weeks, ETLE’K – The Embers of the Fire Are Still Going, which was displayed at the centre’s gallery from January to March 2022.

“This has been the most amazing work and job experience I’ve ever had,” says Chanelle Julian. “The entire program was just a great opportunity, from start to finish. I always knew I wanted to work in the arts, to make my own, but I couldn’t quite picture how to make it work. The Youth Entrepreneurship Program empowered me to learn more, develop my own skills, and have confidence in myself and my work.”

While on work placement at Eltuek, Julian benefited from the guidance of Melissa Kearney, Programming Coordinator with the Centre. Kearney notes that both Julian and Gould took on the opportunity at Eltuek with impressive enthusiasm and excitement. Through that enthusiasm, both of the young artists and budding entrepreneurs utilized their time with Eltuek to learn from other in-house artists and small business owners, develop their own artistic skills, and build connections in the local creative sector.

ETLE’K – The Embers of the Fire Are Still Going, by Chanelle Julian and Isaac Gould.

“I can’t yet begin to put words to just how incredible it has been to work with Isaac and Chanelle, both. They were attentive, self-motivated, collaborative, creative, communicative, humble in their gifts, fun to be around, and downright inspiring humans,” says Kearney. “The mural they made at the end of their work placement is beyond what I could have hoped or asked for.”

After a successful public art gallery, what’s next for Chanelle Julian? Due to the gallery and connections she made, Julian has already secured follow-up work for her and her art. Both Julian and Gould have also retained their connection with Eltuek, securing artistic studio space in-house. Recently, Julian was also able to showcase a painted shawl of hers at the Boardmore Playhouse’s Please Do Not Touch the Mi’kmaq in April 2022.

“I’d recommend this program, and any like it, to anyone looking to develop their skills and build their own business and legacy. The program, the facilitators, the speakers, the lessons… They’re all a huge booster to help you grow professionally and personally,” adds Julian. “I couldn’t have seen myself pursuing this life if not for what I learned through this program.”

Elevate is Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s business-focused publication brought to you by the Cape Breton Partnership. To evolve with our business audience, the publication has now moved from a print publication to fully online. Starting in 2022, our readers can expect to see Elevate articles appearing on both our website and on Saltwire.com.