Members in the news

How our members are growing Halifax

DISCOVERY CENTRE RECEIVES LARGE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT

The Discovery Centre received a $6 million dollar investment for its Inspiring Youth to Climate Action project. With a goal to reach over 200 thousand K-12 youth and an additional five thousand Indigenous youth in their communities, the project’s focus is to affect their daily actions and collectively contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Outreach will include school programs, other hands-on locally relevant activities in every province and territory in Canada, transforming youth’s thinking and most importantly inspiring them to take action. The funding is part of a $38 million climate action awareness fund available to support similar projects across the country to reach Canada's emissions reduction targets of net zero by 2050.

ALANA TATTRIE CELEBRATES FIVE-YEAR WORK ANNIVERSARY

Alana Tattrie is ADDvocacy's COO and Head Coach. On May 7, she celebrated being with the company for 5 years, and ADDvocacy wouldn't be what it is today without her! Alana is from River John in Pictou County, N.S. and is the first in her family to graduate from university. Keith Gelhorn, Founder & CEO first met her in 2011 when she was 18, where they both attended NSCC Truro for Human Services. She went on to obtain a Bachelors of Child and Youth from MSVU in 2016 while Keith launched ADDvocacy.org from NSCC. He told her when she was done university to give him a shout and he would give her a job - he hired her before she graduated! With her help, they have expanded their business throughout North America and the UK.

OT HEALTH GROWING LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Striving to assist clients in resuming productive lives following illness, injuries and accidents, OT Health providers deliver services within the client's communities. This business model is what makes OT Health unique! The boutique, Nova Scotia-based occupational therapy company started during the pandemic and has grown since with the addition of a new consultant to keep up with demands. It delivers Occupational Therapy (OT) based services throughout Nova Scotia. It provides Functional Abilities Assessments, Physical Demands Assessment, and Prolonged Exposure following traumatic injuries, to name only a few. OT Health supports clients from MVA, WCB, LTD and private sectors. It presently provides services to both small and nationally based companies.

HUG CHARM PARTNERSHIP RAISES FUNDS FOR IWK AUXILIARY

The artisans at Amos Pewter spread ‘hugs’ in support of the IWK Auxiliary. Thousands of Pewter Hug Pocket Charms, specially designed for the IWK Auxiliary, were sent worldwide to friends and relatives, colleagues and customers, essential workers and even to the Prime Minister and Premiers as well as the Chief Medical Officers of Health across Canada. Over $22 thousand have been raised and all proceeds were donated to the Auxiliary. Hugs continue to be available in support of the IWK Auxiliary at amospewter.com

BIG ERICS INC, NOW AND NEXT

For every business, including Big Erics Inc., this was a year of adapting, uncertainty and to focus on what really matters. As we grow into our 75th year in business, we are transitioning to Big Erics 3.0. This means we are renewing elements of who we were while focussing on improving for the future. As a proud Atlantic Canadian, female-led family business, we are committed to diversity and inclusive hiring and advancement to ensure our team reflects the customers we serve every day. Our doors are open, and we are ready and eager to serve you.

CN AND KCS COMBINE TO CONNECT PORTS IN USA, MEXICO AND CANADA

CN and KCS entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the premier railway for the 21st century, bringing together highly complementary networks to benefit customers and enhance competition. CN is ideally positioned to connect the continent and realize the full benefits of the new North American trade agreement for customers, communities and the local and national economies it serves and supports. Expected EBITDA synergies approaching $1 billion annually, with a significant proportion expected from converting truck traffic from busy interstates and highways for better fuel efficiency at a lower cost. The result will be a safer, faster, cleaner and stronger railroad than any other proposed combination for KCS.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN BUSINESSES RESULTS RELEASED The Black Business Initiative

(BBI) released results on the impact of COVID-19 on African Nova Scotian (ANS) owned businesses. They revealed that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the business community, with many experiencing revenue losses, closures, lay-offs and shrinkage in operations. Relatively fewer businesses were able to access the various relief programs provided by the federal government and others. The reasons included ineligibility because the businesses were not among those mandated to close, as well as a perception that the application process for most of these programs was complex and cumbersome. The survey also identified the top five factors that are seen as significant barriers to business success. Access the full report here to find out more.

ACCESSIBILITY THROUGH ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Nour is an 11-year-old girl who moved to Canada approximately one year ago with her family. Nour and her family live in a very inaccessible home. The only entrance Nour can access with her wheelchair is the lower basement located in the backyard. To access this, she requires a portable ramp which Easter Seals Nova Scotia's Assis-tive Devices program provided. In addition to helping Nour access her home safely, the ramp can also be used to transport her wheelchair in vehicles when a wheelchair accessible van is not available. Our Assistive Devices program provides mobility equipment for low income people ensuring their ability to be mobile, included and to enjoy each day to the fullest.

INTRODUCING THE CLOVER STATION DUO

It's not news that at SONA we love all of the payment solutions that Clover has to offer but this brand new point of sale system really knocks it out of the park! Don't let its sleek design fool you, the Clover Station is packed full of intuitive features that will help businesses of any size and type run their daily operations with ease. We can't wait to show you more! Please reach out to info@sonapay to learn more. ensure more of your donation helps the 1 in 5 Nova Scotians living with lung disease, visit our website at ns.lung.ca.

LUNG CHAMPIONS LAUNCHES SUPPORTING N.S. LUNG HEALTH

The Lung Association of

Nova Scotia launched the Lung Champions program - a monthly giving program that supports lung health in Nova Scotia. Did you know the benefits of monthly giving include reduced admin costs; reduced postage; reduced printing costs; reliable income for a charity that relies on donors to support our mission; and one tax receipt issued each year. If you're looking to support lung health and want to

Are you launching a new business or product? Celebrating a new partnership? Hired new staff?

The Halifax Chamber invites you to share your Members in the News story in Business Voice. Upload your content here: halifaxchamber. com/business-voice *Note: we do not publish event promotions.

OBERLAND IS GROWING

Recipient of this year’s Halifax Chamber of Commerce Innovative Business of the Year Award, Oberland Agriscience Inc. is expanding. Oberland is a black soldier fly (BSFL) farm that upcycles pre-consumer organics into a nutrient-rich, insect protein ingredient for pet, aquaculture and agriculture feeds. BSFL have an incredibly efficient feed conversion ratio providing far better biomass yields per hectare than corn, cattle and soy. With the current 7,000 sq. ft. Ragged Lake pilot plant buzzing, Oberland is now expanding to a 100,000 sq. ft. industrial scale insect farm. Land secured and building design in the works, Oberland hopes to break ground fall 2021.

RECOGNIZE YOUR POTENTIAL LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Are you ready for new results? Do you believe you will not only survive through the storm but will also thrive? Floria, of Recognize Your Potential, knows the last year has been a challenge for everyone. However, business and entrepreneurship are about providing solutions. Vision combined with solid strategic plan are key in moving forward. Floria is thrilled to share her brand-new E-Commerce website to build new relationships and keep in touch with her clients. Speak with Floria to book a customized training, consulting, or speaking engagement. Visit her new website www.recognizeyourpotential.com to book a complimentary initial consult. New Mindset = New results.

BNI NOVA SCOTIA IS NOW BNI MARITIMES

Now taking BNI applications for new chapters located in Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton, New Brunswick, and also in Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.⠀BNI® membership makes business more rewardung and life more fun. Register now.

THE 7 VIRTUES WINS TWO AWARDS

Local Halifax-based company, The 7 Virtues, has won two prestigious beauty awards - Best Eco and Conscious Fragrance - with internationally renowned digital media outlets, Popsugar and Byrdie, for their newest launch, Santal Vanille. Available exclusively at Sephora, the fragrance features sandalwood and black pepper, fair wage oils from Sri Lanka, that support farmers and provide environmental education programs for women in the community. Santal Vanille is a woody spice blend, reminiscent of a warm cashmere sweater with creamy coconut and cocoa with the lasting notes of sustainably sourced sandalwood. It contains 25 per cent fragrance oils and is infuare about providing solutioMindset = New results.