January 19, 2005 Fredericton,, New Brunswick The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is supporting women entrepreneurs throughout New Brunswick by offering one-on-one consulting services and business management training opportunities as part of the Women in Business Initiative (WBI). "As the number of women entrepreneurs increases throughout New Brunswick, so does their positive impact on the economy of our province," said Andy Scott, MP for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "The Government of Canada is committed to helping these business women to grow their businesses and to compete and ACOA's Women in Business Initiative helps to do just that." ACOA will contribute $323,125 to the New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) for the Consultant Advisory Service of the WBI in New Brunswick. This service addresses the needs identified by women entrepreneurs for one-on-one business advice and support in four specific areas: individual diagnostic assessment, business management practices, business plan mentoring, and follow-up. The program provides up to 75 per cent of consultation costs up to $5,000 per project. ACOA is also contributing $598,500 over a 3-year period to enhance and strengthen management capabilities and business skills of women-owned business. The WBI's Business Management Training Allowance (BMTA) program enhances the ability of women entrepreneurs to start, manage and grow their business. To be eligible for these services, a woman entrepreneur must own at least 50% of her business and demonstrate control of 51% or more of its operations. "The New Brunswick Association of CBDCs is pleased to partner with ACOA on these very important and timely initiatives," said Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of the NBACBDC. "Women owned businesses are the fastest growing sector in Atlantic Canada and the CBDCs' mandate is to help entrepreneurs realize their business vision." According to Ms. Henry, more than 350 women business owners have already taken advantage of the BMTA program, offered since 2003 through the WBI. "We encourage women in business to access this and other WBI programs," she added. The Women in Business Initiative (WBI) is part of ACOA's Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP) being delivered by the New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations. The WBI encourages women entrepreneurs to succeed by improving the growth and competitiveness of women-owned businesses. Five Development Officers located across the province in Fredericton, Saint John, Shediac, Bathurst and Grand Falls, deliver the components of the WBI and provide business counseling and community outreach services to women in business. The New Brunswick Association of CBDCs is a not-for-profit organization that represents the 10 CBDCs across New Brunswick. The CBDCs are dedicated to the development of small business and job creation in their communities by providing advice, counseling, mentorship and loan support services for business start-ups, expansions and modernizations. To find out more about the Consultant Advisory Service or the Business Management Training Allowance, please contact the WBI Development Officer in your area: Jeannie Benoit, Shediac, (506) 533-8711; Sophie Boucher, Bathurst, (506) 548-7793; Julie O'Brien, Fredericton, (506) 452-3918; Pat Pelley, Saint John, (506) 636-3780; Audrey Poitras, Grand Falls, (506) 473-9775. For more information on the Women in Business Initiative, visit the ACOA web site at:www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca. - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Carolyn Grey, Communications Officer Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency New Brunswick (506) 444-6144 Jennifer Henry, New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations Inc. (506) 548-2406
