Some local organizations can help you: YMCA Entrepreneur Centre The YMCA Entrepreneur Centre serves all of Cape Breton, fostering and supporting the creative and innovative people in our community that have a dream of starting their own business. Their Business Development Officers guide clients, step-by-step, as they work towards developing a strong business plan. Contact: 902-849-1794 E-mail: smallbusiness@cbymca.com Web: www.cbymca.com Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) ECBC addresses the needs of the community by facilitating job creation, identifying opportunities, investing in strategic infrastructure and providing business advise and counseling. Key priority sectors are: Tourism, Knowledge Based Industry, Manufacturing and Processing, Oil and Gas, Agriculture and Aquaculture. Contact ECBC: 902-564-3600 E-mail: ecbcinfo@ecbc-secb.gc.ca Web: http://www.ecbc.ca CBU Students' Union, Student Employment and Entrepreneurship Centre A project of the CBU Students' Union designed to foster entrepreneurship as a meaningful career and lifestyle option for CBU students, grads and the general public. Contact: Ken MacDonald, coordinator: 563-1295 JCI Cape Breton JCI Cape Breton provides young people between the ages of 18-40 the opportunity to develop skills in entrepreneurship through participation in local projects, business networking, and professional development training. Contact: 902-539-7635 ACCESS Noca Scotia Information Services Staff at the Sydney Access Nova Scotia Centre can guide you through the process of registering business names for sole propiertorships and partnerships in Nova Scotia as well as providing information on other programs and services available to businesses. Service Canada Service Canada provides financial assistance to the YMCA Entreprise Centre, Coastal Business Opportunities and NEDAC agencies to assist local unemployment clients who require assitance with developing business plans, business support training and consulting services to start new business ventures. The local Service Canada offices also provide Self Employment Benefits directly to eligible clients who have approved business plans and wage subsidy programs to employers who intend to conduct incremental hiring of priority Employment Insurance clients, disadvantaged youth or students for summer employment. Coastal Business CBDC and Northside Victoria CBDC (NEDAC) CBDC assists in the creation of new businesses and the expansion/moderation of existing ones by connecting people like you with the resources you need to succeed. They have provided financial and advisory assistance to thousands of people. You have good ideas! They like to hear them. Contact Patricia MacNeil or Bruce MacDonald: 1-888-303-2232. Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development In partnership with other departments and governments, with businesses, and with communities, NSED provides corporate leadership in helping to create the conditions for a productive and sustainable economy throughout Nova Scotia. Contact Catherine Ann Fuller, NS Dept of Econ Devel: 902-563-2070 Marconi Campus, NSCC Providing customized training, incubation space and support for small businesses. 902-563-2450 Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (CBCEDA) CBCEDA's mandate is to promote and facilitate economic development including community-based development in Cape Breton County through the promotion and implementation of strategic planning, business recruitment, marketing, promotion, and community development initiatives. Contact: Eileen Lannon Oldfold CEO: 902-562-2201 E-mail: info@cbceda.org Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI) NSBI is a business-focused, private sector-led approach to growing the provinces economy. They're bringing fresh ideas and new energy to the work of helping companies grow and, in turn, expanding economic choices for all Nova Scotians. Contact: 902-563-5769 To The Top