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(Wolfville,
NS) - The Acadia Centre for Small Business and
Entrepreneurship today received $468,668 from the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency to support and expand its services. The
funding, part of ACOA’s $2.1 million investment to promote
university-business connections, will enable ACSBE to deliver a
higher level of programming, particularly within the community.
The announcement was
made today by the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works
and Government Services on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire,
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“The Acadia Centre is
a lynchpin of progress in the valley and beyond,” said Minister
Brison. “It has been recognized by the Atlantic Provinces Economic
Council for its ability to link the academic world to the realities
of small business.”
Operating as an
outreach of Acadia University since 1988, ACSBE is a member of the
Alliance of University Business Development Centers (UBDC). It
provides entrepreneurial skill development, small business
counselling and consulting, and advisory services in social and
community entrepreneurship. ACSBE serves the Acadia University
community and residents of central southwest Nova Scotia in
partnership with the regional development agencies in Kings, Hants,
and Lunenburg counties.
Acadia University is
now recognized as one of Canada’s most entrepreneurial universities
with over 30% of its students involved in entrepreneurial skill
development. With offices in Kentville, Bridgewater, and Windsor,
ACSBE has assisted in the creation of 410 new businesses, 645
sustainable jobs, and $12,500,000 in initial investment in the years
1996-2003. The retention rate of these newly created businesses is
81% with a growth rate in employment of approximately 300%.
“This funding from
ACOA will help ACSBE increase its contribution to the social and
economic fabric of the communities it serves,” says Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb,
President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University. “We look forward
to advancing our reach from the university to the small business
community and assisting in the evolution of the University’s
innovation strategy through our community partners.”
As an affiliate of
Acadia University, ACSBE is governed by a board of local business
and community leaders along with university representatives. It has
been recognized by its ability to synergize its resources with that
of the University and other community agencies. ACSBE is also
recognized internationally as a leader in the development of
professional small business counsellors and trainers.
“Our involvement in
the APEC-IBIZ small business certification program has given us
international credibility,” says Chris Pelham, Executive Director of
ACSBE, who serves as chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
international professional standards committee. “It has provided a
unique opportunity for us, our clients, and our students to become
much more involved in international trade and exchange.”
Acadia University, in
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s
premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and
internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes
and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers
students an experience that includes academic achievement combined
with personal growth and development. For more information about
Acadia, visit our website at
www.acadiau.ca.
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