Doing Business in Pictou County
Investing in Pictou County
Pictou County is a great place to put down roots, both for business investors and their workforce recruits. Our region has a quality of place that quickly draws people in.
In hard numbers, the benefits for investing here can be found in our cost competitive business climate— Pictou County remains one of the least expensive places to do business in Canada. Our position in the geographic centre of Nova Scotia and well-established transportation infrastructure provides direct access to major markets throughout Atlantic Canada, major North American markets and around the globe. Modern communications infrastructure connects our region instantly to the world and future investments in a complete broadband network will make Nova Scotia one of the most connected jurisdictions in North America.
Our business and community leaders exemplify a spirit of cooperation that has led to the formation of many winning partnerships and, while less tangible, no less effective in helping our business community to grow together.
Our people bring an energy and commitment to everything they do. They comprise one of the most skilled and dedicated workforces available. They further serve as a rich reserve of volunteers who come together to organize national and international events and championships, and fuel dozens of community organizations that likewise draw on the strengths of a business community with a depth of over 2,400 individual enterprises, hard at work every day in Pictou County.
Economic Shifts
As with many other Canadian regions, Pictou County’s economy is shifting from traditional resource based to a more service oriented economy. Likewise, we have experienced growth in retail and hospitality sectors and confirmed developments reinforce this trend such as a new convention centre designed to service groups of 500 people.
New Glasgow, the most populous of our towns, serves as the commercial service sector for North Eastern Nova Scotia. Major inter-provincial transportation infrastructure passes directly through the County, which sees traffic flow in the range of 4 million cars per year. These factors combine to benefit the many major retailers, chains and franchises that are located here.
Pictou County has targeted growth in several key areas including government service branches and niche tourism product development; such as the small port cruise industry.
The PRDC exists to support and stimulate economic development in Pictou County. We work to connect prospective investors with the support and incentive programs available through local, provincial and federal agencies. We are here to link you with the information needed to make objective decisions about the merits of doing business in Pictou County.
Reinvesting in Pictou County
For Pictou County-based businesses looking to re-invest either through investments in infrastructure, technology or people, PRDC can connect businesses with development organizations that are in the business of funding and supporting plans for business expansions.
Our Business Development Officer specializes in this information.
Read more…
PRDC Business Plan (PDF 1.7MB)