Small business owners are required to wear a lot of different hats, and there is often a steep learning curve when starting or expanding a business. In an effort to assist Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s small business owners, the Cape Breton Partnership will be offering business advisory sessions on a variety of topics throughout 2020 across the island. The first session on the Basics of Business Accounting took place January 26 in Sydney.
Fifteen small business owners from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality attended the session, free of charge. The participants are clients of the Cape Breton Partnership’s Business Planning Advisor, Shannon McNeil. In this role, Shannon provides one-on-one advice and guidance on preparing business plans.
“A resounding theme I have heard from clients is the need for information on accounting basics,” says Shannon McNeil. “Accounting can be a complicated subject, so sessions like this are very beneficial to small business owners. We look forward to hosting more sessions in the future to ensure the needs of our Business Advisory Service clients are met.”
Facilitated by Rob Wadden, CPA, CA of Grant Thornton Sydney, the session educated attendees on many aspects of business accounting. The topics ranged from different types of business structures, preparing income taxes for small businesses, the business registration process, best practices of business accounting, and improving a business’ bottom line. In addition, the session provided information regarding further resources and local training programs for Cape Breton business owners.
“The accounting session delivered by the Cape Breton Partnership was extremely beneficial and informative – I learned a lot,” says Cassie Gilmour, owner of Gille Moire Photography. “The Grant Thornton facilitator was very knowledgeable and helpful, and the topics during the session were extremely relevant and well covered. The session was very interactive, and it was interesting to engage in the conversation.”
The next session of the business advisory series will cover the Basics of Business Accounting in March in Port Hawkesbury. In future, the Cape Breton Partnership will tailor to the needs of clients to inform upcoming session themes. If you’re interested in attending the next session, email Shannon@capebretonpartnership.com .
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Media Contact:
Megan Tonet
Cape Breton Partnership
(902) 202-4178
megan@capebretonpartnership.com
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.
Nova Scotia Health Authority embarks on major developments
Story by Kathleen MacLeod, Elevate Magazine Editor
This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.
In 2018 the Nova Scotia Government and Nova Scotia Health Authority announced their plan to change the way health care is delivered in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). Since the initial announcement, the leadership team for the CBRM Health Care Redevelopment Project have been working closely with staff, physicians and stakeholders to move the project forward.
The redevelopment project is a multi-year, multi-phase project with the goal of redesigning and rebuilding health-care infrastructure to support Cape Breton’s patients, families, health-care teams, physicians and researchers.
“This is an opportunity to do things differently and make significant improvements in how we deliver care to patients. This work will expand services and improve access to health care, while also providing modern facilities.”
Dr. Kevin Orrell, Senior Medical Director for the CBRM Health Care Redevelopment Project
As part of the project a new emergency department, critical care department and Cape Breton Cancer Centre will be built at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. The new cancer centre will serve more than 45,000 patients per year, making it possible to stay close to home while receiving treatment. With site preparation underway and design plans drafted, construction is set to begin in late summer or fall of 2020.
In addition to expansions at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, New Waterford will become home to a new community hub that includes a new school, community health centre and long-term care facility. The development of these facilities will take place on the current grounds of Breton Education Centre. Similarly, North Sydney will also welcome a new community health centre, long-term care facility and laundry facilities. At Glace Bay Hospital, construction of a new, six-chair renal dialysis unit is underway and planning continues to expand the emergency department and surgical services.
Together, with team members from transportation infrastructure and renewal, department of health and wellness and many local health professionals, the local leadership team will continue to work to ensure that future health-care services and sustainable infrastructure are improved for Cape Breton.
Cape Breton, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is pleased to share that one of its employees was recently recognized as a trailblazer and leader making a difference in Cape Breton – Unama’ki.
Cape Breton Partnership’s Labour Market Development & Immigration Officer, Omar Tag El-Din, was one of 16 award recipients of the 2020 Most Inspiring Immigrants in the Maritimes award, an acknowledgement that celebrates Canadian immigrants who stand out in their towns and cities across the region. Omar Tag El-Din was the only recipient from Cape Breton – Unama’ki.
The Most Inspiring Immigrants in the Maritimes is an annual event hosted by My East Coast Experience, an organization dedicated to communicating the experiences of our region’s newcomers with a goal to inspire others to welcome immigrants and inspire newcomers to take advantage of the region’s amazing opportunities and make the East Coast their home. The award was handed out during a gala ceremony on January 17, 2020 in Halifax.
“I came to Cape Breton Island after the first revolution and the violence that came after in my home country of Egypt,” says Omar Tag El-Din. “I fell in love with the Island immediately and knew that I had a tremendous opportunity to help other immigrants call Cape Breton home through my work with the Cape Breton Partnership.”
Tag El-Din adds, “I am humbled to be recognized with this amazing group of people, and also grateful every day for the opportunity to live and work in Cape Breton, contributing to its growth, despite the arctic weather!”
The Most Inspiring Immigrants in the Maritimes nominees are assessed on key criteria; leadership, achievement, impact in their community, growth and development, vision, community involvement and contribution and social responsibility. They must also be living or working in any of the Maritime Provinces consistently for the last five years. The honorees are then chosen by a distinguished Judging Panel/Advisory Board comprising of members from NB, PEI and NS.
“On behalf of the staff and Board of the Cape Breton Partnership, we are extremely proud of Omar and all he has accomplished,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO, Cape Breton Partnership. “I have had the privilege of working with Omar for nearly three years and have seen firsthand the positive impact his immigration-related work has had on our economy and Island. This recognition is well-deserved.” For a list of all the 2020 Most Inspiring Immigrants in the Maritimes, visit https://myeastcoastexperience.com/celebrating-the-most-inspiring-immigrants-in-the-maritimes/ .
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Media Contact:
Megan Tonet
Cape Breton Partnership
(902) 202-4178
megan@capebretonpartnership.com
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.
Local businesses and residents take part in community fundraiser
Story by Kathleen MacLeod, Elevate Magazine Editor
This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.
When local communities and businesses come together, anything can happen. The case wasn’t any different for the inaugural Harbour Wars, which took place on Aug. 24, 2019. More than 50 local businesses came together with the surrounding communities in Richmond County to highlight the local fishing industry and raise money for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Patient Care Fund to strengthen health care for cancer patients on Cape Breton Island.
Harbour Wars, a friendly skills competition, challenges men and women in Cape Breton’s fishing industry to raise funds and compete. The day’s events included the codfish shuffle, fish filleting, dory races, a nautical obstacle course and tug of war. In addition to bragging rights, there was a grand prize of $1,000 for the winning team of the skills competition. The 2019 winners, Grandpère’s Boys, graciously donated their winnings back to the Cancer Patient Care Fund.
Overall, the event was an incredible success, thanks in part to the nearly $15,000 in sponsorship from local businesses. Attracting over 300 people to Little Harbour, Richmond County, the event included a number of activities for the general public as well, including local seafood and live entertainment. Harbour Wars raised an impressive $23,682 for the Cancer Patient Care Fund. With a successful inaugural event, the Harbour Wars planning committee and participants are looking forward to making the fundraiser an annual occurrence in Richmond County, with the second annual event already scheduled for Aug. 22, 2020.