Friends of Nova Scotia
NS 2010-11 Budget
Nautel Invests in Future
From their home in Hacketts Cove, Nova Scotia, Nautel Limited has earned a reputation as a global leader in radio frequency technology. Recently the company announced it is making investments to increase manufacturing productivity and diversify its products through research and development.
"Over the past two years, we've grown Nautel's engineering team by more than 50 per cent. We've tripled our sales and marketing teams and added more support personnel," said Peter Conlon, president and CEO of Nautel Limited. Conlon was recently awarded Business Person of the Year by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Nautel is investing $1.7 million in its expansion plans this year. The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting the company's growth with a five-year payroll rebate capped at a maximum of $860,500. Twenty new positions are expected to be added to the current workforce of 155 employees.
IKEA Supplier Scanwood Expanding
Dartmouth-based furniture manufacturer and exporter Scanwood Canada Ltd. is working to reduce their its production costs and update equipment with support from the province’s Industrial Expansion Fund.
A supplier for the ubiquitous Swedish furniture brand IKEA, Scanwood provides significant economic spin-offs for the local economy, purchasing more than $4 million of goods and services from local suppliers and generating more than $11 million in annual tax revenues.
Originally owned and operated by IKEA, the company was purchased by then president and CEO Tommy Holmer.
With contracts signed for the next four years, Scanwood is a favourable supplier in part due to its proximity to the Port of Halifax, which makes it a cost-effective location for distribution to IKEA's 46 North American stores.
"Scanwood has been an important member of Nova Scotia's business community for over twenty years with stable volume growth and well-paying jobs," said Bo Thörn, chairman and co-owner of Scanwood Canada Ltd. "We are thankful for this support from the province as it will enable us to modernize and improve our productivity as we continue to operate in a great place to work and do business."
Garrison Brewing
The 2010 winter session of the World Beer Championships wrapped up last month and gold is once again coming to Nova Scotia. Garrison Brewing Co. - based on Halifax’s waterfront across from historic Pier 21 - took home a pair of gold medals for their Imperial I.P.A. and Irish Red Ale, and two silver medals for the Winter Warmer and Hopyard Pale Ale.
“It's a great honour to be recognized at this level," said company president Brian Titus. "For our flagship brand, Irish Red, to win gold and our newest listing, Hopyard Pale, to win silver is particularly satisfying".
Hopyard Pale returns to liqour store shelves in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this May following a highly successful debut last summer.
RSA Insurance Expanding to Dartmouth
A leading home, car and business insurer, Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA) Canada, is expanding its operation in Nova Scotia.
RSA has a history of operations in Nova Scotia stretching back 100 years. In addition to it’s Atlantic Regional Centre offices, RSA also has its national training centre in Dartmouth where employees from across Canada learn insurance underwriting skills.
A six-year $2.6-million payroll rebate investment from the province will give the company flexibility to create up to 160 new jobs over the term of the agreement, adding positions as necessary to meet business needs. The rebate is paid annually based on performance targets.
RSA employs 2,700 people across Canada. Read more about the company’s Nova Scotian expansion.
Insurance Sector Report
A study of the insurance sector in Nova Scotia released recently shows the sector - composed of more than 360 firms - has a direct economic impact in Nova Scotia of $460 million each year.
"In 2009, there were 4,500 Nova Scotians employed in the insurance industry making a wage that is 38 per cent higher than the provincial average," said Paul Kent, president and CEO, Greater Halifax Partnership. "This is a significant asset to our city and links with current industry partners must continue to be nurtured for future growth and overall success of Halifax and indeed Nova Scotia."
Five NS Scientists Receive Funding
Recently announced investments by the Government of Canada in the Canada Research Chairs program will provide $4.3 million to support five Canada Research Chairs researching at Nova Scotia universities.
An event held at Saint Mary's University featured Dr. Robert G. Deupree, whose research involves developing better methods of calculating the structure and evolution of stars. As Canada Research Chair in Astronomy and Astrophysics, his research will receive $1.4-million to enhance the ability to perform stellar evolution and structure simulations, leading to a greater understanding of how stars work.
Other Nova Scotians receiving funding include: Jeffrey R. Dahr (Dalhousie University, $1.4-million), Darrell Varga (NSCAD, $500,000), Derek Lynch (NSAC, $500,000), Lisa Kellman (St. F.X.U., $500,000).
A full list of the 187 chairholders is available on the Canada Research Chairs website.
Local Ad Agency, Basketball Team Recognized
Halifax’s Rainmen - members of the Premier Basketball League - and local advertising agency Colour have had their “Cloudman” billboard campaign recognized by bestadsontv.com as one of the best outdoor executions in the world.
Every week, ‘bestadsontv’ announces the best global creative in the categories of television, radio, print and outdoor. The Halifax Rainmen “Cloudman” billboard was selected by judge Marcus Rebeschini, chief creative officer of Y&R Asia, in the Outdoor category from among hundreds of worldwide submissions.
“To be singled out for a beautifully executed idea, but also to have our work sit alongside creative from the biggest and best agencies on the planet, from Leo Burnett Chicago to TBWA Auckland, is incredible for an agency from our little corner of the world,” said Chris Keevill, President and CEO of Colour. “The Rainmen have a great story to tell, and just because we’re a small market team, doesn’t mean we can’t have an impact that’s global.”
Schools Think Local, Eat Healthy
The eating habits of students in Nova Scotia schools are taking on a local flavour as a new provincial program to promote local produce was introduced recently.
Called “Strive for Five at School!” the campaign is a provincewide attempt to keep school menu choices in tune with the seasonal availability of local foods to highlight the importance of supporting the provincie’s food growers.
A website component launched by the Department of Health Protection and Promotion offers visitors access to a calendar listing which fruits and vegetables are available in Nova Scotia during the different growing seasons. Also available online are “large quantity recipes” suitable for school cafeteria preperation.
Strive for Five at School! was created by a joint committee of the Annapolis Valley Health Promoting Schools Program, the Community Health Boards of the Annapolis Valley, Armstrong Food Service and the departments of Health Promotion and Protection, Education and Agriculture.
Cape Breton Island Arrives in San Francisco
Just before midday local time on March 30, with the sun breaking through the clouds to herald the yacht’s arrival, the eagle of Cape Breton Island came sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge as the Canadian entry arrived victorious in San Francisco. The clipper promotes Cape Breton as ‘Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece’, is participating in the 35,000-mile Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.
“I’m relieved to be here as it was a long and hard race,” said Skipper Jan Ridd. “Coming into San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge was an amazing arrival and we’re all feeling extremely happy right now.”
The Cape Breton Island currently stands at 4th in the race. Follow the Clipper Arround the World progress online.
