Halifax Partnership and vLife Launch Buy Local Program for Small Business

Posted: October 22, 2020

Halifax Partnership today announced a new partnership with vLife by Quantum Link to boost marketing and sales support for 80 small businesses in Halifax. The new Access Local program will provide businesses with a complimentary vLife online storefront to help them reach customers interested in buying local.

“The Access Local program delivered by Halifax Partnership and vLife is an additional resource to help our small businesses grow their customer base and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, while supporting economic recovery efforts in Halifax,” said Wendy Luther, President and CEO of Halifax Partnership. “We’re pleased to partner with local startup vLife to launch this program during Small Business Week, recognizing the critical contributions our entrepreneurs make to Halifax’s economy and the vibrancy of our community.”
“At vLife, we know there’s a need to better connect customers who want to buy from small local businesses” said Melanie Little, CEO & Co-Founder, vLife. “Everybody wins when we shop small and local. We’re thrilled to be collaborating in delivering the Access Local program to provide greater awareness of, and access to, small independent businesses that are the heart and soul of our diverse Halifax-local community offerings.”

In addition to the Access Local program, Halifax Partnership is also developing a business continuity toolkit to further support small and medium size businesses with adapting to operating in this new environment, recovering from the pandemic, and planning for the future.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing a $100,000 non-repayable contribution from the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to support the Access Local and business continuity initiatives.

“Small businesses account for the majority of all businesses across Canada, and I can’t overstate how essential they are to the Atlantic Canadian economy,” said Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. “The Access Local program will help Halifax small businesses overcome challenges presented by COVID-19, adapt to the rapidly changing business environment, and continue to grow.”

The Access Local Halifax program is now accepting applications. The program is being offered at no cost to participating businesses. Businesses can find the eligibility criteria and apply for the program at halifaxpartnership.com/accesslocal.

Media Contacts:
Alison Gillan, APR
Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations & Communications
Halifax Partnership
902-719-6797
[email protected]

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
ACOA Nova Scotia
902-830-3839
[email protected]

About Halifax Partnership

Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s public-private economic development organization. We work to keep, grow, and get business, talent and investment in Halifax. The Partnership’s network of influential and globally connected Investors and partners are committed to building a thriving, prosperous Halifax. www.halifaxpartnership.com

About Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

ACOA works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by: helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive; working with various communities to develop and diversify local economies; and championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians, ACOA is building a stronger economy. For more information, visit canada.ca/acoa-apeca.

About Vlife

vLife by Quantum Link is a social enterprise platform that connects support-local customers with the small independent businesses that give our communities their unique flavour. We are a triple bottom line company prioritizing, people, planet, then profit. Having launched in Halifax in December 2019, we are thrilled to now be showcasing small indie business providers to buy-local customers throughout the Atlantic Provinces. Visit vlifeapp.ca to find out more.

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