• Perennia is providing non-repayable financial assistance to Nova Scotia commercial entities in the fishing, aquaculture, marine plant harvesting and seafood buying/ processing sector to increase productivity, competitiveness, quality and sustainability in the fish and seafood sector under NS-ITAP.
• Depending on the nature and scope of the project, funding may also be awarded to Nova Scotia-based industry groups or associations.

Subject to funding availability, the Program is scheduled to run from May 1, 2024 to February 28, 2026

• Businesses can apply for a cost-shared grant to make accessibility-related improvements. Improvements can be for clients and customers, for employees or both.
• Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming commercial environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities.
• Limit of $100,000 per applicant per year.

The five categories of funding:

Built Environment:
Removing physical barriers for persons to access business services, by installing ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers, and other projects.

Accessible Communications Services:
Ensuring that all customers, clients and employees can access information related to a business.

Assistive Devices:
Ensuring that employees and consumers who are person with disabilities have the devices they need to effectively do their jobs and access places of business.

Universal Design Capacity Building:
Training in the field of Universal Design, both for technical services professionals and for persons with disabilities wishing to better understand its value.

Accessible Transportation:
Providing support for businesses to improve access to transportation services.

•The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, and by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies.

• Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc is a provincial development agency with the mission to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors. They are Nova Scotia’s only technical development agency focused solely on our food sector and maximizing its value.

Perennia works with companies in the fisheries sector in three key areas:
• Quality and food safety initiatives and training
• Product development and research to commercialize new products or improve current ones
• Sector development projects with the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and other industry partners

• The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) offers customized one-on-one Business Advisory Services.
• You’ll be matched with a member of their Senior Business Advisory Team, who will meet with you for the number of hours you feel you need to get the expert advice and support your business needs.
• The fee for Business Advisory Services is $49 per hour, plus HST.

• Efficiency Nova Scotia has a range of programs, rebates and incentives that will help your plant or business run more efficiently.

If interested:

1. Employers must fill out a very short online contact form.
2. A Business Development Manager who specializes in the Manufacturing industry will be in touch with you to discuss which services and programs are best for your business.

• The Atlantic Innovation Fund assists in developing and bringing to market new products and services that meet market demands and global quality standards.
• Adapts new technology to meet business needs or respond to market opportunities.
• Supports Atlantic Canada’s new and traditional sectors pursue opportunities, solve challenges, stay competitive and grow.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund supports:

• Innovation to encourage new products and technologies.
• Infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies.
• Science partnerships between industry, academia and other research institutions to improve our knowledge.

To be eligible for funding, you must:

• Reside in a participating province.
• Be active in or support activities related to the fish and seafood harvesting, processing or aquaculture sectors.
• Demonstrate maximum economic benefits accruing to the Atlantic Region.