News Release Archive
ECONOMIC RENEWAL--FIVE NOVA SCOTIANS WIN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS ----------------------------------------------------------------- If last night's 1996 Atlantic Canadian Entrepreneurship Awards are an indicator of the region's economic climate, then the entrepreneurial outlook is brightest in Nova Scotia, said Economic Renewal Minister Richard Mann. Nova Scotians dominated the annual awards presentation, winning five of seven categories. "Our congratulations to Hector Jacques, president and CEO of Jacques Whitford Group Ltd, for capturing the entrepreneur of the year award," said Mr. Mann. "As an international exporter of services, Mr. Jacques has adopted quality and excellence as his company's trademark." With over 400 employees in offices in Canada and the United States, Mr. Jacques also finds time to lend his business skills to the Economic Renewal Agency, serving on several boards. He is presently chairman of the Black Business Initiative, past chairman of ERA's Trade Council and the Nova Scotia Business Development Corporation. Mr. Jacques also won in the services category. "Entrepreneurship is the way of the future and Nova Scotia's future looks very promising," said Mr. Mann. "These entrepreneurs are not only successful business leaders, they're also community leaders, giving back time and effort to the communities that support them," added Mr. Mann. The Economic Renewal Agency assisted several of the winners and nominees on their path to success, such as Acadian Seaplants Limited of Dartmouth, winner in the high technology category, EnviroSeal Engineering Products of Waverley and Satlantic Inc. of Halifax, finalists in the same category; Plastics Maritime Limited of Halifax, finalist in the wholesale/retail category; and Able Electric Ltd/Trailblazer Saw of Halifax, finalist in the Master category. Together with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Economic Renewal Agency helps promote entrepreneurship to young Nova Scotians and the leader of the joint initiative was one of the finalists in the supporter category. Chris Curtis manages the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development. ERA also promotes entrepreneurship to students through its Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (Y.E.S.) program. Rick Emberley, Bristol Group Inc. of Dartmouth, finalist in the services category, managed last year's successful G7 Summit on behalf of the provincial government. "I congratulate all the finalists for their valuable contribution to the Atlantic economy every day of the year," said Mr. Mann. "The sponsors also deserve credit for recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship." -30- Contact: Linda Laffin 902-424-6810 trp Sept. 20, 1996 - 10:30 a.m.