Business Resources

Our Business Resources page is intended to help businesses, managers and entrepreneurs navigate the array of business services and resources available in Cumberland County, as easily and efficiently as possible.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us directly so we can personally assist you and subsequently, update our resource page with the information that was missing.

Business & Start-Up Services & Support

Nova Scotia Business Navigators
CBDC (Community Business Development Corporation) Cumberland County​
Cumberland Business Connector
Nova Scotia’s business navigators help business owners with needs such as:
  • Registering a business
  • Determining what permits and licenses are required to operate a business
  • Understanding applicable inspection requirements
  • Finding resources to assist with financing, taxes, staffing and other needs
CBDCs assist in the creation of small businesses, and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses, through services such as:
  • Business plans and other framework templates
  • Business counselling, guidance, coaching, and in some cases, advocacy
  • Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers 
  • Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Support is available to current and prospective entrepreneurs, business owners and managers through programs such as:
  • Business development support and resource navigation
  • Mind Your Business workshops
  • Northern Connector Program
  • Employer Immigration Navigation Program
  • Business Accelerator Program
  • Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
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Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce
Town of Amherst
Town of Oxford
The Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce is designed to promote and protect the interests of businesses in the Cumberland County region. It does this through the following services:
  • Networking events
  • Promotional opportunities for member businesses
  • Training and educational opportunities
  • Member benefits & discount programs
  • Advocacy 
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Community-Led Placemaking Program
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Municipality of Cumberland County
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ACOA (Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency)
NSBI (Nova Scotia Business Inc.)
Develop Nova Scotia
$3M for Nova Scotia

Rediscover Main Street Program
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Community-Led Placemaking Program
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New & Potential Resident Services & Support

"Live in Nova Scotia" Navigators
Join Us in Cumberland
Explore Cumberland
Department of Immigration & Population Growth
CBDCs assist in the creation of small businesses, and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses, through services such as:
  • Business plans and other framework templates
  • Business counselling, guidance, coaching, and in some cases, advocacy
  • Entrepreneurship development and training to individuals and small business owners/managers 
  • Financial assistance is available in the form of loans, loan guarantees and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Re-Entering the Workforce as a Business Owner or Employee 

Nova Scotia Works, CANSA
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CANSA'S mandate is to build the capacity of the citizens of Cumberland County in education and employment, and advocate on their behalf to ensure fair and equitable access to full and equal employment opportunities. 

Programs & services include:
  • Community job board
  • Assisted job searches & employment coaching 
  • Training, re-training and upgrading programs to advance education and employment opportunities 
  • Partnership development
  • Education and awareness promotion
  • ​​Development initiatives for special interest groups, youth, persons with disabilities and African Nova Scotians
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Student Resources

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Educational Resources

Ted: Ideas Worth Spreading
LinkedIn Learning 
Skills Online Nova Scotia
TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. TED.com is a virtual clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world's most inspired thinkers.

Content includes:
  • Business & Entrepreneurship 
  • Science & Technology
  • Health & Medicine
  • Environment & Green Initiatives
  • Global Issues​
Cumberland Public Libraries offer free access to LinkedIn Learning’s library of instructional videos for all Cumberland Public Libraries’ cardholders. You can access LinkedIn Learning content simply by clicking on the link and entering your 14-digit CPL library card barcode and 4-digit PIN.

Course topics include:
  • Business Software & Tools
  • Career Development
  • Web Design
  • Database Management
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Small Business
  • Entrepreneurship
SkillsonlineNS is offered as a free upskilling resource through a partnership between Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills, Immigration and the NS Association of CBDCs. The program aims to provide accessible training for all residents of Nova Scotia to acquire and leverage the skills needed to succeed now, and in the future.

Training resources are categorized as follows:
  • Training for Employers
  • Training for Employees
  • Training for Job Seekers​
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