Business Services

Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are not-for-profit organizations that strengthen and diversify rural communities by providing financing (loans and equity), business counseling, and training to entrepreneurs. There are 13 CBDCs serving the needs of small businesses in rural Nova Scotia. Each CBDC is locally owned and operated. Investment decisions are made by volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of the community. CBDCs services include:

  1. Financial assistance to a maximum of $150,000 is available in the forms of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
  2. Business counselling & advice is available to small businesses and people interested in starting a business. We want businesses to succeed and we give high priority to the advisory role of our mandate. Advisory assistance usually takes the form of guidance and coaching, and sometimes advocating on behalf of our clients to other lending establishments or regulatory agencies.
  3. Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers.

The Government of Canada provides CBDCs with operation support through the national Community Futures program. In Nova Scotia, the program is adminstered through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (on mainland Nova Scotia) and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (on Cape Breton Island). CBDCs are part of a national network of 269 corporations, each dedicated to the development of rural Canada.

CBDCs are committed to developing healthy communities supported by successful business. We value people who are passionate about ideas and diverse communities that include a wide range of businesses. Our knowledge of our communities and our people is the basis for our success!