Halifax Partnership announces new services to support businesses impacted by COVID-19
Posted: May 20, 2020Halifax Partnership is expanding its business support programs to help companies manage the impacts of COVID-19 as part of Halifax’s Economic Response and Recovery Plan.
The Partnership’s SmartBusiness program, which helps companies assess and overcome challenges, and its Connector program, which connects businesses with local talent, are now accepting applications for new services to meet businesses’ urgent needs.
“Halifax Partnership has connected with over 750 businesses impacted by COVID-19, and we are helping companies navigate and access the many government programs and private sector resources available to help them with cash flow, staff reductions, and other major challenges,” said Wendy Luther, President, and CEO, Halifax Partnership. “Halifax Partnership has retooled all of our programs and resources to meet businesses’ immediate needs and to support Halifax’s economic response and long-term recovery.”
Today, the Partnership is announcing a new Virtual Adviser program for Halifax businesses, delivered through its SmartBusiness Program in partnership with BoomersPlus. This free program will match 25 qualified companies with a seasoned Virtual Adviser powered by BoomersPlus.com to help them manage and recover from COVID-19 impacts. Businesses can apply on the Partnership’s website until June 5, 2020.
“We are excited to partner with the Halifax Partnership to offer the Virtual Adviser Program. As a technology company, this is an opportunity to draw from the wisdom and experience of thousands of seasoned professionals in our On-Demand Talent Platform to help businesses work through this crisis,” said Aris Economopoulos, CEO of BoomersPlus.
The Partnership is also expanding its Connector Program to address immediate labour demands in agriculture, fish processing, and transportation and logistics. This labour market initiative will provide businesses in these industries with access to a wide pool of job seekers. Businesses and job seekers can now register on the Partnership’s website.
“Businesses are telling me every day how they are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and what they need to help them through it,” said the Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister, Department of Business. “I’m pleased to see that the Halifax Partnership is providing additional support for businesses seeking to access the resources now available.”
While the community is responding to and managing the COVID-19 health crisis, Halifax Partnership and Halifax Regional Municipality are proactively planning for economic stabilization and recovery in collaboration with private, public, and post-secondary partners, and businesses and other stakeholders across the city. Halifax Regional Council approved the Economic Response and Recovery Plan on May 12.
“The fastest path to economic recovery is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to Public Health requirements,” said Mayor Mike Savage. “At the same time, the city and Halifax Partnership are leading Halifax’s Economic Response and Recovery plan to support businesses as they adapt and plan for a safe reopening and sustainable future. While this will take time, Halifax is resilient and I know we can get there together.”
The three-phased Economic Response and Recovery Plan supports moving through the urgent health crisis, reopening and stabilizing our economy, and restoring Halifax’s economy and positive long-term growth trend. Timing for implementation of the three phases will be aligned with Public Health measures and directives.
Links:
- Virtual Adviser Program
- COVID-19 Labour Market Initiative
- Halifax’s Economic Response and Recovery Plan
Media Contact:
Alison Gillan, APR
Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations & Communications
Halifax Partnership
902-719-6797
[email protected]
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About the Halifax Partnership
Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s economic development organization. It helps keep, grow, and get business, talent, and investment in Halifax. It does this through leadership on economic issues, core programs, partnerships across all sectors, and by marketing Halifax to the world. As a private-public partnership, the Halifax Partnership receives funding from private sector investors, as well as the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia.
About BoomersPlus
BoomersPlus matches seasoned professionals with opportunities (from part-time, project, full-time work to adviser and mentor roles) that fit their lifestyle, while reducing the time-to-hire and cost-to-hire for employers looking to tap into the wisdom and experience the organization needs.