Latest News

Nov. 14, 2008 - Partnership hosting vendor workshop for tar ponds cleanup

Sydney... The Cape Breton Partnership will host an important workshop to update local contractors on the cleanup projects related to the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens cleanup Monday, November 24th at 10:00 am at the Delta Sydney.

Major construction activity for the $400 million project is underway; bids are currently being accepted for a water diversion system, and release of the tender to solidify and stabilize the Sydney Tar Ponds is expected to at the end of November.

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency will provide an update on the project to date and a look ahead to the upcoming schedule. Cleanup design engineer AECOM-CBCL will present detailed information on various components of the cleanup, including opportunities for local participation.

“Ongoing communication between the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency and Cape Breton’s construction industry is key to the success of this project,” said Keith MacDonald, Executive Director for the Cape Breton Partnership. “This workshop provides a forum for vendors to gather information and have their questions answered, ensuring their readiness to bid on cleanup work and achieve the local economic impact.”

Workshops of a similar nature were held in February where approximately 120 contractors attended sessions in Port Hawkesbury and Sydney. The Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens cleanup project employs unique local economic policies to optimize participation from the Cape Breton-Mulgrave area.

The Cape Breton Partnership has created an effective forum for the private and public sectors to come together with the common goals of forging partnerships, capitalizing on opportunities and building a stronger Cape Breton.

Media enquiries may be directed to:
Desiree Vassallo
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.7182

Nov. 13, 2008 - Central Inverness Business Dinner in Cheticamp

Cheticamp... The Cape Breton Partnership invites the business community to come together, network and share their success stories at the Central Inverness Business Dinner, Friday, November 21st at St. Joseph du Moine Parish Hall in Cheticamp.

The third event of its kind, Central Inverness Business Dinners are an opportunity for people across Cape Breton and the Strait area to build and strengthen their business relationships, celebrate their past successes and discuss potential opportunities for the future. 

“Cheticamp is a strong business community, with a long history of entrepreneurship,” said Keith MacDonald, Executive Director of the Cape Breton Partnership. “This event allows the business community to network with individuals and businesses that are playing a vital role in the growth of Cape Breton.”

Attendees will hear from Bert Lewis, Chair of the Cape Breton Partnership; Don Beamish, Manager/Operator of Larch Wood Canada; and, Dan MacDonald, President and CEO of InNOVAcorp. They will be joined by special guest Rodney MacDonald, MLA for Inverness.

Tickets are available for $25 and can be reserved through the Cape Breton Partnership office by phone, at (902) 562-7182 or by e-mail at info@capebretonpartnership.com.

The Cape Breton Partnership has created an effective forum for the private and public sectors to come together with the common goals of forging partnerships, capitalizing on opportunities and building a stronger Cape Breton.

Oct. 29, 2008 - Business succession planning presents challenge and opportunity

Nearly half of businesses in Cape Breton and the Strait area are operating without succession plans in place, according to a recent study commissioned by the Cape Breton Partnership as part of its mandate to address economic barriers and growth opportunities in the region.

Survey results indicate that most business owners only want to explore succession planning as they prepare for retirement. Of those who do have a succession plan in place, 40 per cent were planning a family takeover the business and 40 per cent were considering a sale of the business while only 10 per cent said that employees would be taking over the business.

The availability of hundreds of successful businesses presents a significant opportunity for the local economy; but, without the proper succession plans in place, local business activity could be lost to shut-downs or sales outside of the region.

“The matter of business succession planning is not unique to Cape Breton and the Strait area,” said Cape Breton Partnership Executive Director Keith MacDonald. “What this study provides us with is a good picture of what’s happening locally, so that we can bring people together, discuss next steps and take action to ensure further economic opportunity.”

In an effort to help the business community benefit from the opportunities that can come from an appropriate succession strategy, the Cape Breton Partnership plans to host a series of roundtables across Cape Breton and the Strait region to gather input and generate ideas on what can be done to smoothly transition business in this region. The roundtables will bring together business owners who have implemented successful succession strategies as well as those who are nearing the time where they need to think about succession planning. Anyone interested in participating in the roundtables can contact the Partnership office.

The Cape Breton Partnership has created an effective forum for the private and public sectors to come together with the common goals of forging partnerships, capitalizing on opportunities and building a stronger Cape Breton.

A full report on the results of the succession planning survey is available in a PDF document below.

Media enquiries may be directed to:
Desiree Vassallo
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.7182