SmartBusiness is about responding to business with real answers in real-time.
We want companies to stay, and grow, in Greater Halifax so we are out in the community talking face-to-face with employers and hearing first-hand about the challenges, needs, and opportunities that impact on competitiveness. With this information, we tackle obstacles and clear the way for a vibrant and growing economy in Greater Halifax.
SmartBusiness is the hub connecting CEOs and business owners to resources already in our community that are designed to support existing businesses. Since its launch in 2004, Smartbusiness has benefited local companies and our community by:
- identifying companies at risk of moving out of Greater Halifax and convincing them to stay
- connecting companies to recruitment and training experts
- facilitating new contracts, R&D assistance, and exporting leads that directly contribute to a company's bottom line
Results
In the past year the Partnership has consulted with close to 400 businesses, generated over 200 referrals and closed 74 per cent of those files. The majority of referrals relate to immigration, expanding a business, workforce development, exporting and municipal assistance. This takes our three year-total to:
1,500 ~ consultations with businesses, representing 45 per cent of Greater Halifax’s labour force
967 ~ referrals to action team
900 ~ closed files
4,500 ~ jobs created or retained
We also targeted the top 25 high-growth, high wage employers in Halifax, visited 17 and have plans to visit the other eight.
Contact Robyn Webb at rwebb@greaterhalifax.com to learn more about SmartBusiness, the results it's giving companies and how it can help your business.