Applications Open for Small Business Program

Small businesses can now apply to the province's Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program.

Now in its sixth year, the program provides vouchers or credit notes to small- and medium-sized businesses to access professional support from Nova Scotia universities and colleges.

There are two tiers of vouchers. The first provides up to $15,000 for services and advice in areas such as applied research, engineering services, field testing, product evaluation, prototyping, product design and feasibility studies to help move a new product or service to market.

The second tier provides up to $25,000 to businesses that have already received vouchers through the program, allowing them to build on the work done with the first project.

"This program introduces businesses to expertise available at Nova Scotia universities and colleges." said Leigh Huestis, director, Office of Industry and Community Engagement at Acadia University. "We've helped companies in the early stages of developing new products and we've continued to work with many of them after their initial voucher project.

"We are pleased our services will be available once again to businesses in Nova Scotia, and encourage business owners to look at what services are available to them through this program."

The participating universities and colleges are:

• Acadia University
• Cape Breton University
• Dalhousie University including the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College
• Mount Saint Vincent University
• Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
• Nova Scotia Community College
• Saint Mary's University
• St. Francis Xavier University
• Université Sainte-Anne

To be eligible, businesses must be registered to operate in Nova Scotia and have less than 100 employees when they apply.

Businesses can get more information and application forms for the program at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/pnivouchers.

Applications for the first tier vouchers are due by Oct. 7. The deadline for second tier vouchers is Oct. 14.