Press Release

For Immediate Release

NB Association of CBDCs Launches First of Six Business Growth Summits

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Bathurst, NB – On June 18, 2019, in Bathurst, the New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) welcomed entrepreneurs and business leaders to the first New Brunswick Business Growth Summit, a series of six day-long events designed to spark and support growth for local business.  The remaining five events will take place in September and October 2019 in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Edmundston, and Caraquet.

Each summit invites participants to network, take part in interactive discussions and to hear from highly-skilled experts about the latest tools, opportunities, and services available to help their companies grow and increase profitability in a rapidly changing global economy.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with economic development partners to discuss their growth plans and learn about the potential support available to them.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), supported the Business Growth Summit with a non-repayable contribution of $350,000 under the Regional Growth through Innovation Program.  Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced the support today.

“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is proud to support this important initiative that builds on our strong working relationship with the NB Association of CBDCs and the 10 CBDCs in our rural communities. We know that local businesses are critical to the development of regional economies. The expertise this summit brings will enable entrepreneurs to connect with the right resources, which will help them grow, take risks, and make their mark in the global marketplace,” said MP Cormier.

“We are proud to host the New Brunswick Business Growth Summit 2019,” said Gaitan Michaud, President of the NB Association of CBDCs.  “Our goal is to offer our entrepreneurs the resources they need to fulfil their ambitions, remain on the cutting edge of technology, increase exports, recruit and retain the best talent from here and abroad, and remain competitive in a global and ever-changing economy. Our province is full of opportunities for success, and we’re committed to strengthening our local businesses by offering them the tools and insights they need to seize them."

About New Brunswick CBDCs 

The 10 CBDCs in New Brunswick are part of a vast network of independent not-for-profit businesses that work in partnership with the different levels of government in order to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. The CBDC offices, located in the province's rural communities, facilitate business development in their respective regions. Their actions help in the creation of new businesses as well as the expansion and modernization of existing businesses, by offering financing, management training and counseling. 

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For more information: 

Jean-François Sonier
Project Development & Research Officer 
NB Association of CBDCs 
506-548-1167

Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-261-5534