Target 100

Target 100 is an exciting initiative designed to train and hire 100 Community Services clients into meaningful employment within the co-op and credit union sector over the next five years.

We will be helping the co-operative and credit union sector meet its human resources needs, while contributing to poverty reduction in Nova Scotia.

Community Service’s clients are ready to work and currently seeking employment in their communities. Many of these individuals are post-secondary graduates. Our partnership aims to connect these individuals with meaningful positions available in their communities in co-ops and credit unions.

Clients will be provided with various supports, such as additional education and training, as well as other supports provided by Community Services. Wage subsidies may also be considered during the first few months of the individual’s employment.

Want to get involved? It’s as easy as telling us about your organization’s human resource needs.

Join us in this important partnership by contacting our program coordinator, Meghan Farrell, for more information!

 

HealthConnex

Are you looking for quality medical information, a personal electronic health record, and more options for access to your family doctor? Help may be just a click away on your computer!

Nova Scotia's co-ops and credit unions are working to launch a new web-based medical service called HealthConnex. Canada’s first and only online health care clinic!

HealthConnex will help doctors focus on wellness and patient care, while helping families and individuals easily gain greater access to health and wellness services; allowing people to participate more actively in the management of their own health care.

As a co-operative organization, HealthConnex is owned by Nova Scotians and the benefits accrue to Nova Scotia. Co-operatives have always been focused on the needs of people and their communities, and this clinic is a logical extension of the products and services available to members.

Interested in finding out more about this exciting initiative? Contact Dianne Kelderman today or sign up for a free 90 day trial subscription now!

Community Economic Development Investment Funds

(CEDIFs)

A CEDIF is a pool of capital raised through the sale of shares that is invested in new or existing local businesses.
It is a mechanism to keep hard earned dollars at home, at work in our communities, where they belong. They support locally produced products and services, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
A CEDIF develops within the community. Any individual or group can form a working group to investigate the possibility of starting a CEDIF in their community.

Since the program began, more than $32 million has been invested in funds that support local businesses across the province. For more information, visit the Office of Economic Development.
As an investor, benefits to buying shares in CEDIFs include:

√    35% non-refundable provincial income tax credit on your investment

√    Investments are RRSP eligible

The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council offers a turnkey CEDIF development package aimed at simplifying the process for your group to start a CEDIF offering. For more information on CEDIFs and how the Council can assist you, contact our main office.

 

Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program is a joint initiative of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, Atlantic Central, local participating credit unions, and the Province of Nova Scotia.

Together, we are delivering better financial assistance for the start-up and expansion of small businesses, enabling provincial business owners to create and maintain rewarding careers for Nova Scotians each year.

Special financing streams for immigrant entrepreneurs, as well as the forestry and high risk sectors are also available.

Credit unions can provide financing up to $500,000 in the form of term loans, working capital and lines of credit to individuals who would like to start or purchase a business and/or grow and expand an existing business.

Loans may be granted for a term of up to of 10 years.

The maximum guarantee supplied by the Province of Nova Scotia will be 75 percent of the value of the loan. A 90 percent guarantee may be available to those that qualify under our special financing streams.

All types of businesses are eligible except residential and commercial real estate, beverage rooms and taverns, or any venture of a questionable ethical or legal nature. Each application is evaluated on a case by case basis and is based on the business plan and viability.

View our program brochure. To apply, visit your local credit union branch or www.ownershipisbetter.com.

 

Renewable Energy

We see the development of renewable energy as one of Nova Scotia’s greatest opportunities.

Nova Scotia has an abundance of natural resources that can bring economic and environmental sustainably to the province by producing renewable energy for consumption and export. This opportunity is pivotal in that it has the potential to improve the economy, environment and the health of Nova Scotians.

The co-op sector is a natural model for development of alternative energy. We have a long history of developing business and social infrastructure throughout rural Nova Scotia. Co-ops have the collaborative, community-building attitude needed to be harnessed to see the alternative energy sector flourish in Nova Scotia.

This self-help makes a community stronger. By taking responsibility for the future, communities become engaged and see their efforts as instrumental in creating a better future for themselves and their families.

We believe that opportunities around renewable energy are much broader than just electricity generation. All forms of renewable energy need to be considered to achieve the greatest reduction in greenhouse gases and strong economic growth without excessive costs to individuals, businesses, communities and government.

The Council wants to support your co-operative. However, for any project to be successful and sustainable, the initiative and leadership must come from the community.

For further information on the Council’s renewable energy initiative, please contact the business development officer in your area.