Annapolis Valley shows strong support for Michelin
Thirty-five years ago the first tire rolled off the production line at the Michelin tire plant in Waterville, a major employer in the Annapolis Valley. To mark the occasion, community and municipal partners held a dinner on June 7 to recognize the important contribution the company makes to the economic and social well-being of the Annapolis Valley. READ MORE
We’re reaching travellers in New England with our Summer/Fall Guide
The Valley REN has worked with the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce to create a Summer/Fall Guide to the Annapolis Valleyfor potential travellers from the New England region. This month we emailed the guide to 175 people who visited the Nova Scotia Pavilion during the Boston Globe Travel Show in February. We attended the show, along with the AVCC Tourism Marketing Committee, as part of a Nova Scotia delegation led by Bay Ferries. The guide promotes events and attractions to help people plan a visit to the Annapolis Valley.
Sustainable Energy Sector Table:
reporting on opportunities
As the province and our region continue to transition to a low-carbon economy, the Valley REN will be working with business leaders in the sustainable energy sector to raise awareness about business and employment opportunities and to foster connections with students and entrepreneurs. READ MORE
Dinner for two in Windsor
The Valley REN’s James Schofield presented a prize to entrepreneur Adrienne Bowmer of Copper Bottom by Bella in Berwick. The prize — dinner for two at Cocoa Pesto in Windsor — was awarded for completing the Valley REN 2017 Business Survey. James visited Adrienne at the weekly farmers market in Kentville, where she retails her jams, jellies and sweets made for special dietary needs.
The Valley REN AGM is on June 19, from 2:30-4:30 pm.
Our guest speaker is Ron L’Esperance, formerly a provincial deputy minister and now president of Group ATN Consulting, which conducted the Valley REN 2017 Business Survey. Ron will talk about the survey results & business climate in the Valley.
This is a public event. Please RSVP by June 15.
Email ekonrath@valleyren.ca or phone 902-670-0542.
Welcome to our three new board members
The Board and staff of the Valley REN, and our Liaison and Oversight committee – which represents our regional partners and the province – are pleased to welcome three new board members.
Bob Maher graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario. Following a career of 30-plus years as an instructor and senior scientific researcher, Bob and his wife Heather made their permanent home in Paradise, Annapolis County. They maintain an organic orchard and produce sweet cider. Bob has a long–term interest in rural economic development. He was on the inaugural Valley REN board until 2015, when Heather accepted an assignment in Haida Gwaii. He is a Board member of the Ernest Buckler Literary Event Society. He writes a regular blog for GoGeomatics and maintains his own blog site at ErnestBlairExperiment.wordpress.com.
Daniel Mullen is a second-generation mink farmer, past-president of the Nova Scotia Mink Breeders Association, and has served on various boards during the development of the Fur Industry Act (Nova Scotia) and the National Humane Care Code for mink. Dan received his Pastoral Theology Diploma from Summit Pacific College and spent four years in the B.C. lumber sector. After five years as a residential construction project manager in HRM, Dan put down roots in Waterville with his wife Karen and three children, building a new farm and continuing the Mullen family mink tradition.
David Ritcey has been a licensed Portfolio Manager with Scotia Wealth Management for the past 25 years. He is a graduate of Acadia University and holds several senior professional designations. Beyond his activity in a number of industry-related organizations, Dave has a wealth of experience serving on local boards and is currently serving on the boards of Solar Capital Energy Inc., Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kings Historical Society and Kings Citizen Coalition. Dave makes Kentville his home with his wife, Melissa.
Welcome Tania, who joins the Valley REN staff team
Tania Vassallo has joined the Valley REN staff team in a term position to work on priority projects related to investment readiness and business growth.
A catalyst for economic development in the Annapolis Valley
Who we are: The Valley REN was incorporated in March 2014 under the Municipal Government Act. We have a mandate to be the catalyst for economic development in the Valley region. Our partners in the Valley REN are Glooscap First Nation, the municipalities of the County of Kings and the District of West Hants, and the Towns of Berwick, Kentville, Middleton, Windsor and Wolfville. We are jointly funded by our regional partners and the Province of Nova Scotia. Our volunteer Board of Directors, drawn from the private sector, delivers a wealth of experience in business and economic leadership. A Liaison and Oversight committee – representing regional partners and the province – ensures public accountability.
Our mission: To guide and navigate regional economic development, while providing support to businesses; operating as a connector among economic development partners; supporting business growth and retention; and providing leadership on economic priorities.
Our vision: “Communities working together to create a prosperous region.”
We’re making connections for businesses and employers
We offer one-on-one consultations to help businesses access government programs and services to support your HR needs and training, business development and export development. Contact James Schofield
Economic Development Officer | Ph: 1 (902) 698-9192jschofield@valleyren.ca
We’re developing strategic sectors in the Annapolis Valley
We’re working with businesses to support collaboration and development in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, information & communications technologies (ICT) and sustainable energy. Contact Emily Konrath
Economic Development Officer | Ph: 1 (902) 670-0542 ekonrath@valleyren.ca
We’re reporting on our activities in our monthly newsletter & weekly blog
On behalf of our regional and provincial partners, the Board and staff of the Valley REN are acting on opportunities for economic growth in our region. Please contact us with your ideas for how we can work together to create a more prosperous Annapolis Valley.
Cheers,
Kelly R.M. Ells, CEO
By working together we can create a more prosperous region.
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