ACOA at a Glance
MISSION: Help Atlantic Canada’s economy grow
Support provided through:
- Flexible tools and programs for SMEs and community groups
- Repayable contributions to businesses
- Non-repayable contributions to community and support organizations
- Convening and pathfinding
ACOA funding aims to:
- Improve the quality of jobs
- Increase productivity and digitalization
- Build a diverse workforce
- Leverage green technologies
Key areas of focus:
Advanced Manufacturing
Immigration
Tourism
Indigenous Economic Development
Oceans
Food
Clean Growth
Start-up Ecosystem
ACOA supports businesses and communities
ACOA supported or contributed to an average of 1,248 projects per year, with an average contribution of $233,279.
ACOA’S impact on businesses
From 2013 to 2018, sales by ACOAassisted firms grew an average of 4.4% per year (compared to 1.0% for similar unassisted firms).
During the period 2008 to 2018, the business survival rate for ACOAassisted start-ups was 69% after the crucial fifth year following launch (compared to 33% for unassisted firms).
ACOA investments
2011-2012 to 2020-2021
- Average annual spending: $276M
2020-2021
- Total spending: $575M
- $496M in grants and contributions
- $79M in operating funds
2021-2022
- $462M in planned expenditures, including $166M in temporary allocations.
30 service points across Atlantic Canada