Message from the President
enterprise loans. Although this activity remains somewhat marginal, it clearly illustrates that our CBDCs are committed to community well-being by fostering openness and inclusivity A total of 231 projects were approved for new and young entrepreneur loans, representing 33% of investments.
Our organization’s strength lies in the collaboration with the 10 CBDC offices around the province. This partnership is crucial in providing entrepreneurs with the support they need via various programs
The digital transformation of small businesses continues to be a focal point. The Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is made possible under our agreement with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and partnerships with 16 universities and colleges across Atlantic Canada (detailed results can be found on page 6). This initiative aligns with our efforts since 2021 to bolster the online presence of small businesses through practical projects.
Self-Employment Benefit Program generated r $3.5 million in investments, with 276 ects approved, attesting to its ongoing ularity Thanks to our partnership with Avenue Cooperative, the Self-Employment Benefit gram was tailored to individuals living with bilities (SEB PWD). This year, 27 projects were roved, assisting clients with diverse lenges Our dedicated team ensured that e clients received customized services, access aining and comprehensive business advice.
Consultant Advisory Services (CAS) program become a flagship offering of New Brunswick Cs, with 90 applications approved this past (see page 6 for detailed results).
men in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) eved several exceptional outcomes, lighted on page 7 The WBNB team continues provide invaluable support in the form of torship, training, and networking ortunities, empowering women entrepreneurs ucceed in various industries Additionally, our agement with Indigenous communities was ngthened through initiatives such as the genous Pop-up Shop events, the online store w nujintuisgatijig ca
n era of recovery, NBACBDC demonstrated ust adaptability in supporting rural epreneurs. With more than 110 volunteers ing on Boards of Directors throughout the vince, our network benefits from extensive l expertise. We continue to forge strong nerships with business community eholders and all levels of government, striving to promote a new social economy characterized by responsiveness, flexibility, and community resilience.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Scott Tidd, our Executive Director, for his exemplary leadership Our dedicated team of 18 employees have been instrumental in serving our CBDC members across New Brunswick. The high level of support provided by the New Brunswick Association and its team ensures that our CBDCs can effectively empower entrepreneurs while fostering growth and innovation throughout the province.
On behalf of myself and the Executive Committee, I would also like to express our gratitude to Basil Ryan, Chief Operating Officer of the Atlantic Association of CBDCs, and our key partners, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Government of New Brunswick, for their unwavering support in fostering community development through entrepreneurship.
Rémi Roy, President of the New Brunswick Association of CBDCs
Rémi Roy, President
Building strong entrepreneurial leverage in rural communities in NB
Total value of assistance from the CBDCs and financial leverage over the past five years (in millions of dollars)
The number of businesses who received financial assistance over the past five years
An 18% increase in businesses that received financial assistance compared to the previous year. For the first time, the CBDC portfolio exceeded a new threshold with $120 million in investments.
Jobs created and maintained in the community over the past 5 years
A 9.1% increase (compared to the previous year) in jobs created and maintained in rural New Brunswick communities through regular loan programs.
CONSULTANT
ADVISORY SERVICES
Through its partnership with ACOA, the New Brunswick Association of CBDCs delivers the Consulting Advisory Services (CAS) Program This program gives CBDC’s the ability to offer consultant advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses and notfor-profit organizations throughout New Brunswick. A total of 90 CBDC clients and 5 ACOA clients benefited from this program, for an investment of $672,200. In addition, thanks to Women in Business New Brunswick, 41 women entrepreneurs qualified for advisory services projects for an investment of $313,737.
CANADA DIGITAL
ADOPTION PROGRAM
“Digital promotion is the way to go in this era," said a participant. In one year, 821 entrepreneurs across the four (4) Atlantic provinces were approved for $1.9 million in grants to digitize their business In addition to the grant, a team of e-Commerce Advisors provided up to 10 hours of consultation to support each business implement their digitization project. A majority of entrepreneurs raised their Spending Plan to put more value to their digital strategy. The main lines of businesses benefiting from the program are retail trade, professional, scientific and technical services, and accommodation and food services.
A Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) Program
Number of applications received and approved throughout the province over the past five years
During the last fiscal year, the amount of financial assistance awarded totals $3.5M through 276 applications approved, allowing participants to continue to receive Employment Insurance or a weekly allowance (according to the existing policy) to get their own business up and running.
Accommodation and Food Service
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the CBDC Chaleur Construction Manufacturing
$667,665 in loans approved
$632,770 in loans approved
$368,821 in loans approved
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications
Impact
Photo credit: PR Photography - Pascalle Roy
Business sector highlights in the Charlotte-Kings region for fiscal year 2023-2024
Other services
Accomodations and Food Services
Health and Social Assistance
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
$1,266,502 approved (39%)
$555,000 approved (17%)
$510,000 approved (16%)
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Training sessions Self-Employment Benefit Consultant Advisory Services
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Number of clients
Amount granted
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the Kent region
Fisheries
Agriculture
Construction
$1 million
$630,000 in approved loans
13 applications approved
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Applications
Value
Number of clients
Amount
Photo credit: Pays de la Sagouine
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the Madawaska region
$430,000 in loans approved Retail
Health
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
$420,000 in loans approved
$314,555 in loans approved
Number of sessions
Number of participants
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Applications received
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Number of clients
Amount granted
Photo credit: Pixel Heart Photo Studio
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the Northumberland region
Accommodation and Food Service
Health Care
Tourism, Recreation & Leisure
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
based on disbursement
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
$953,725 in loans approved
$470,000 in loans approved
$162,560 in loans approved
Training sessions
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Self-Employment Benefit
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Consultant Advisory Services
Number of clients
Amount granted
Photo credit: John Hayward
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the CBDC Péninsule acadienne region Services Agriculture
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Applications
Value of assistance
Number of clients
Amount
Photo credit: Mathieu Dupuis
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the Restigouche region
Other Services
Food and Accomodation
Retail /Wholesale
$1,557,650 in loans disbursed
$1,167,906 in loans disbursed
$1,104,675 in loans disbursed
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients
Training sessions Self-Employment Benefit
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Number of clients
Amount granted
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the CBDC Southwest region. A significant increase in applications in these sections was observed when compared to past years.
Wholesale & Retail Tourism Construction
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Training sessions
Number of sessions
Amount granted
Number of business
counselling sessions
Number of clients
Self-Employment Benefit
Applications approved
Value of assistance
Consultant Advisory Services
Number of clients
Amount granted
For fiscal year 2023-2024, three business sectors took the attention in the CBDC Victoria Madawaska-South region
Construction: A sharp increase in construction projects requires an improvement in working capital, as well as the creation of new businesses in the field.
Seasonal services: An increased demand for seasonal work services, such as lawn mowing and snow removal, is driving a need for greater working capital.
Professional, scientific, and technical services: A strong demand for financial assistance from the CBDC for companies in this category, with an increased need for suppliers, products and services.
Investment in the region
Requests processed
Applications received
Applications approved
Amount invested
Impact on businesses
of sessions
granted
Number of business counselling sessions
Number of clients New start-up
Existing businesses
Total
Impact on employment
Jobs created
Jobs maintained
Total
Business sector highlights in the CBDC Westmorland Albert region
Food services: Loans for this sector are still trending despite statistics that may not be as optimistic as it could be. CBDC Westmorland Albert needs to listen to entrepreneurs and adjust to the region’s specificity.
Construction: Despite inflation, this sector continues to be strong in the area with no end in sight.
Health services and agriculture: Two additional sectors that seem to be rising in the Westmorland Albert region.
Investment in the region
CBDC Programs and Services
Who We Are
CBDCs are not-for-profit organizations run by volunteers from the local business community who firmly believe in improving the economic viability of their region. There are 41 CBDC offices in Atlantic Canada dedicated to the development of small businesses and assisting entrepreneurs in accessing financing and other business training and resources.
What We Do
Our objective is to help build stronger communities in Atlantic Canada by stimulating private sector employment in our rural areas. CBDCs work throughout rural Atlantic Canda in the creation, expansion and modernization of small and medium sized businesses.
What We Offer Entrepreneurs
Tailored solutions for young entrepreneurs aged from 18 to 34 that are interested in starting, expanding or modernizing their business. Youth Loan
First-Time Entrepreneur Loan
Targeted financing for the first-time entrepreneurs starting or purchasing their first business
General Business Loan
Designed to assist entrepreneurs when traditional avenues of financing are not available, for either creating, purchasing or succession planning.
Assist in the development of the knowledgebased economy, the adaptation and commercialization of technology Innovation Loan
Social Enterprise Loan
Tailored financing designed to assist social enterprises.
Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) Program*
Provides financial and coaching support to new entrepreneurs during the planning and startup phase of their new business.
Business Counselling
Business counselling in the form of advice to new and established entrepreneurs.
Consultant
Advisory Services
Available to small and medium-sized business, as well as non-for-profit organization, to access technical and financial assistance by engaging consultants to assist them in various topics.
Tailored trainings in specialized areas such as marketing development, bookkeeping, feasibility studies and business analysis Skills Training
*SEB is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-Provincial Governments Labor Market Agreements.
