Western Regional Enterprise Network

Western Regional Enterprise Network Connecting, informing, and accelerating regional economic development for Argyle, Barrington, Clare, Digby and Yarmouth.

The Western REN's mandate is to guide and navigate regional economic development while providing support to businesses. The Western REN is implementing a regional economic development strategy, and is supporting business retention, expansion, start-up, and attraction. The Western REN is a resource for prospective economic development for the region, and works collaboratively with multiple levels of government and other organizations.

Western REN's office will be closed on Monday, September 7th so our team can enjoy some well-deserved time with family a...
09/04/2026

Western REN's office will be closed on Monday, September 7th so our team can enjoy some well-deserved time with family and friends.

We'll be back at our desks on Tuesday, September 8th, ready to keep supporting businesses across Western Nova Scotia.

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend!

Big question for business owners: how would your business handle a curveball? We asked 63 businesses across Western Nova...
09/03/2026

Big question for business owners: how would your business handle a curveball?

We asked 63 businesses across Western Nova Scotia that exact thing earlier this year. It’s a question worth asking, especially with tariffs and Canada–U.S. trade uncertainty back in the mix.

Our new Business Resiliency Survey report breaks it all down across six pillars: financial, operational, workforce, market, digital, and infrastructure and community resiliency.

The takeaway? Lots of strengths to celebrate, and a few opportunities to get even more ready.

Read the full report here: 👇
https://bit.ly/western-ren-report

Are you struggling to fill open roles and can’t find local talent? Immigration hiring pathways can help but only if you ...
09/02/2026

Are you struggling to fill open roles and can’t find local talent?

Immigration hiring pathways can help but only if you know where to start. The Western REN’s new Employer Toolkit breaks down the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Nova Scotia Nominee Program, and more to support your needs.

It’s free to download and built for Western NS employers.
🔗 https://westernren.ca/business-supports/employer-immigration-support/

The $13.8 million Workforce Tariff Response Fund was created last year and is still available, jointly funded by Canada ...
09/01/2026

The $13.8 million Workforce Tariff Response Fund was created last year and is still available, jointly funded by Canada and Nova Scotia.

🔹 Supports workers and employers directly or indirectly affected by tariffs, including in steel, softwood lumber, fisheries and seafood, agri-food, manufacturing, and automotive
🔹 Runs from fiscal year 2025–26 through 2027–28
🔹 Part of the Canada–Nova Scotia Labour Market Development Agreement
🔹 Delivered locally through a provincewide network, so support is accessible in communities across the province — including here in Western Nova Scotia

Employers apply through LaMPSS (Labour Market Programs Support System), with an Itemized Budget Breakdown attached.

Full details, guidelines, and how to apply: https://novascotia.ca/tariffs/

Questions? Email [email protected]

Tariffs. Changing trade conditions. Supply-chain uncertainty. Storms. Staffing gaps. Power or internet outages.Businesse...
08/30/2026

Tariffs. Changing trade conditions. Supply-chain uncertainty. Storms. Staffing gaps. Power or internet outages.

Businesses are dealing with more reasons to ask a simple question: how ready are we if something changes quickly?

We asked 63 Western Nova Scotia businesses that question. The full Business Resiliency Survey report is now available on our website.

Take a look at the findings: https://westernren.ca/news/business-resiliency-index-2026/

So what does the Western REN do, anyway?We work alongside businesses, municipalities, and community partners to help cre...
08/28/2026

So what does the Western REN do, anyway?

We work alongside businesses, municipalities, and community partners to help create the conditions for local success, from regional collaboration to workforce development to place-making projects. Everything we do is connected, and it all helps set the table for continued growth in our beautiful region.

At the heart of it all is a simple idea: when people work together, good things happen. We're proud to be part of a region where partnership still matters, and where people continue building what comes next.

Want to find out more?

Our website: https://westernren.ca/
Our Podcast: https://westernnsrising.transistor.fm/

If you're looking for support related to Canada-U.S. trade and tariffs, the Government of Canada's "Canada Strong" hub b...
08/27/2026

If you're looking for support related to Canada-U.S. trade and tariffs, the Government of Canada's "Canada Strong" hub brings together programs and resources in one place for:

🔹 Workers looking to plan their next step
🔹 Businesses and industries navigating tariff pressures
🔹 Regional tariff supports delivered through Canada's Regional Development Agencies
🔹 Skilled trades opportunities
🔹 Community infrastructure investment through the Build Communities Strong Fund

If you or your business have been affected by U.S. tariffs, this is a good starting point to see what's available.

Explore the hub: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/canadastrong.html

Showcasing our region like this to the rest of Canada is a huge boon to our local tourism industry.Our Communications le...
08/27/2026

Showcasing our region like this to the rest of Canada is a huge boon to our local tourism industry.
Our Communications lead Wade Cleveland is a huge fan of the Amazing Race Canada. Do you watch?

Here's a stat from the 2026 Labour Market Survey that more people need to see: most employers in Western Nova Scotia say...
08/26/2026

Here's a stat from the 2026 Labour Market Survey that more people need to see: most employers in Western Nova Scotia say they have the capacity to train new workers, but they're not actually doing it.

Not because they don't want to. Because they can't find the people to train in the first place.

Think about that. There are businesses across this region with open seats, willing mentors, and real opportunities just waiting, and the one thing missing is simply connecting them with the right candidates.

That's exactly the gap the Connector Program was built to close.

If you're someone who's ready to learn and willing to put in the work, you don't have to wait around for the perfect job posting. Let us make the introduction instead.

Reach out, we'd love to chat!
https://westernren.ca/connector-program/

Address

210 Main Street
Yarmouth, NS
B5A1C6

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19026352618

Website

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