Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association Receives $366,000 to Expand into New Markets
The Nova Scotia provincial government announced on Oct. 26 that the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association will receive $366,000 from the Community Economic Development Fund to promote local boatbuilding and repair businesses and help them access new markets, including national defense sectors.
On Oct. 26, the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia announced that the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association (NSBA) will receive $366,000 from the Community Economic Development Fund. The announcement took place at Wedgeport Boats Ltd. in Yarmouth County.
Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Growth, Development and Defence Industries, spoke at the event. Jan Fullerton, executive director of the NSBA, and Chelsea Hattie, part owner and accounts manager of Wedgeport Boats Ltd., were also present. Wedgeport Boats Ltd. has been building and repairing boats since the late 1980s.
The funds will be used to promote local companies at industry trade shows, missions, key trade publications, online communications, and through strategic partnerships. Strengthening support for the sector is intended to increase its capability to tap into national defence priorities, including small vessel construction and refit, repair, and maintenance work.
Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada that recognizes boatbuilding as a designated trade. The boatbuilding industry faces challenges including significant cost increases, labour issues, supply chain disruptions, and changes to commercial fisheries.