About Us

Shortly after “Now or Never, An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians” was released, a small group of local business people started meeting to talk about how, collectively, we could accomplish what none of us could do individually, what we could no longer ask or expect any government to do alone – make a significant, lasting difference to the economy of Cumberland County.

Identifying themselves as CCL (Cumberland County Life) they took up the challenge of the Ivany report for business to step up and take an active role in revitalizing the economy of Nova Scotia, especially rural Nova Scotia, for the benefit of us all. With encouragement from the local municipal governments the discussion was broadened to include a wide cross section of leaders in Cumberland County. From there the three-pillar strategy began to take shape.
CCL’s focus narrowed to how they could connect, support and influence existing businesses, youth and government decisions to drive economic development. CCL recognized that to have the most impact they would have to formalize their structure and governance and shift from an entirely volunteer organization to a board – staff model.  The Cumberland Business Connector, deliberately named as that is how we see our role, and symbolized by the stylized depiction of the Wallace River bridge in our logo, incorporated as a not for profit society in 2016.

Since 2016 the Connector has been busy building. Hiring CEO Jonathan the Board has built its governance structure to provide the direction, oversight and accountability it needs for credible leadership. With the funding partners, members and economic and thought leaders in Cumberland County the plan has been built. We look forward to making a difference together on the economy of, and life in, Cumberland County.

Our Structure

Our Mission

The Cumberland Business Connector is a business led, not for profit organization. Our focus is to foster a strong business environment in order to strengthen Cumberland County by removing barriers to business, and connecting businesses with the resources they need to be successful.

Our Directors

​Susan McIsaac
Chair
David Hoffman
Director
Kevin Toth
DIRECTOR
David McNairn
Director
Darrell Kuhn
DIRECTOR
Michael Stack
DIRECTOR
Don McCormack
DIRECTOR

Our Staff

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Jonathan McClelland - CEO. Jonathan has an extensive background in Community Economic Development as well as Business Management.  He has spent 20 years working in rural Nova Scotia as a small business manager, a business consultant and as a business development officer.

He has worked with entrepreneurs in the agricultural, forestry and fishing sectors as well as renewable energy and small manufacturing businesses. He has been involved in business plan development, research and development initiatives, business attraction, and export market development.  This work has included working closely with government departments, industry associations, Chambers of Commerce, Municipalities, and Non-Governmental Organizations. Jonathan has also facilitated board governance training sessions, conflict resolution processes, and strategic planning sessions. 

In addition to his paid employment, Jonathan has sat on various boards of directors including, the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, Upper Clements Parks, and Medway Community Forest Co-operative.  Jonathan and his wife have five children and reside near Pugwash, Nova Scotia.
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Emily Haynes - Research Assistant. Emily Haynes grew up in the community of Tidnish and is a graduate of the Business Administration Program at NSCC. In her spare time she enjoys reading, painting, and training in ITF TaeKwon-Do as a second-degree black belt.

When she started her position as the Research Assistant she began working on the business directory by researching businesses to make sure information was current. Since then she has rebranded and marketed the Cumberland Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge of 2019, created the financing brochure, and is assisting in the creation of a Connector communication strategy, as well as several other key projects.