Provincial Government Program Honoured with International Award

The Provincial Government’s Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR&E) has been honoured with an international award at the Business Retention & Expansion International Conference held recently in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The award acknowledges outstanding state, provincial, or territorial BR&E programs.

BR&E is an economic development process that assists local businesses with identification of issues surrounding retention and expansion and links them to specific programs and services. In 2010, as part of its commitment to the program, the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development took a new, proactive approach and allocated funds for a BR&E coordinator in each of the five economic regions of the province.

“BR&E is just one of the many programs and services the Provincial Government has implemented to support the growth and development of small and medium-sized businesses, the engine that is driving our economy,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “I would like to congratulate the BR&E team and all the employees at the department for their hard work and dedication. They work with our community partners supporting business and economic development throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Formed in 1994, Business Retention and Expansion International is a professional association for business retention and expansion. In their evaluation, the selection committee cited the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development’s on-the-ground capacity and long-term commitment to clients, which ensures that the support identified fully addresses the client’s issues surrounding retention and growth.

“The BR&E Program was a great experience,” said Ed Clarke, President of St. John’s-based adfinitum Networks. “It enabled our company to identify new business opportunities.”

Shanna Randell is Manager of Roddickton-based Mayflower Inn and Adventures and Mayflower Outfitters.

“The BR&E process has helped us identify and implement changes in our business,” said Ms. Randell. ”It is allowing us to operate more effectively and efficiently.”

The Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development’s BR&E process aims to strengthen business fundamentals and planning capacity among employers and partners through a holistic business assessment.

- 30 –

Media contacts:

2012 07 05             9:55 a.m.