Building Industry Capacity
Program 2015–2018
Our mandate is to grow the rural economy of this province and
we will do that by investing in agriculture.
Overview
The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
entered into a five-year (2013-2018) bilateral agreement to implement Growing Forward 2, the policy
framework for agriculture.
Under the Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement, $37 million in federal and provincial funding will be
invested over five years towards strategic initiative programming. Growing Forward 2 programs will
focus on innovation, competitiveness and market development to ensure Canadian producers and
processors have the tools and resources they need to continue to innovate and capitalize on emerging
market opportunities. For more information on the Growing Forward 2 agreement visit
http://www.agr.gc.ca.
Over the five years Growing Forward 2 and Homegrown Success programs will focus on three thematic
areas:
1) Innovation
2) Competitiveness and Market Development
3) Adaptability and Industry Capacity
With the strength of our partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the funding for
programming under Growing Forward 2, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture is well- positioned
to provide assistance for the tools needed to improve profitability and competitiveness in Nova Scotia.
Program Overview
The Building Industry Capacity Program is a three-year program commencing in 2015-16 fiscal year. The
program is expected to support projects with sector-wide benefits. The objectives of this program are to
enhance, develop and diversify agri-business infrastructure and improve competitiveness. The intent is
to optimize and accelerate growth and development of the agriculture and agri-food industry. The
ultimate objective of the fund is to promote winning conditions within the provincial industry that are
based on sound business case analysis and strategic priorities. The ability to enhance the domestic and
international competitiveness of the overall sector through collaboration and partnering is an integral
component of the Building Industry Capacity Program.
This program has two streams. Stream one will support sector level strategic development and
implementation initiatives as identified by industry and / or government. Stream two will assist in
building the strategic infrastructure needed to address barriers to development in Nova Scotia’s
agriculture and agri-food industry. The priorities in these two streams will be reviewed on an annual
basis and adjusted accordingly.
The Building Industry Capacity Program will impact agriculture and agri-food industry by:
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Enhancement, development and diversification of the province’s agricultural infrastructure;
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Accelerating industry growth and enabling access to new markets, improving market penetration
and market share;
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Improving competitive positioning through more direct contact with customers and stakeholders or
through enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of business activities;
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Increasing added-value and market driven initiatives enabling increased sales and profitability;
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Enhancing industry partnerships and increasing collaboration among and between sectors;
Improving capacity to attract and retain investment within the province’s agriculture and agri-food
industries;
Increasing competitiveness and enhancing business opportunities for the agriculture and agri-food
industries.
General Program Information
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Commodity organizations, industry associations, agri-food businesses, processors and government
organizations can apply to the funding program(s) as outlined below:
 Eligible applicants are registered farms, commodity organizations, industry associations, agri-food
businesses, processors, not-for-profit organizations and associations including cooperatives, marketing
boards and government organizations.
 They must clearly demonstrate a direct partnership and beneficial economic impact to the Nova Scotia
primary agricultural industry by adding economic value beyond primary production. Examples:
o Processing companies (both food and bio-industrial) with a physical manufacturing or processing
presence in Nova Scotia.
o Producers and groups of producers who are adding economic value to their products beyond
the primary production of crops and livestock
 Preference will be given to projects demonstrating a strong business case, partnerships at the industry
level and value-chain levels and/or addresses industry-wide barriers or supports economic growth in
Nova Scotia.
 Projects must clearly demonstrate the objective of strategically positioning the business or industry to
capture higher product margins and new market opportunities. Value-added and market driven
initiatives implemented in a local context and leverage funding and collaboration from multiple
development stakeholders are preferred.
Applications Process
The Building Industry Capacity Program is proposal based. Proposals must include a business case and
the financial impact of your project must be clearly identified as they apply to your industry or agri-food
business, as well as to the rural economy of Nova Scotia. Applications will be selected based on merit
and will be reviewed by a Review Committee composed of individuals of diverse expertise and
background.
Please contact a Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) staff person to discuss your proposed
project and whether it meets the eligibility criteria. This initial consultation will help you decide if you
should invest valuable time and effort in completing a project proposal. PBRM staff can only provide
their initial assessment of the project based on the information provided. Funding decisions can only be
made by the Review Committee based on an assessment of the full proposal.
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Preference is given to projects which demonstrate partnership and collaboration at the industry and
value-chain level, supported by a strong business plan and strategic research/analysis.
Typical details of the project proposal will include, but are not limited to:
 Project description and anticipated impact;
 Industry impact and reach;
 Proven case for enhanced competitiveness;
 Background research, information and analysis;
 Strategic plan;
 Business plan;
 Management capacity and experience;
 Production capability;
 Financing and cash flow;
 Investment sources and partners;
 Costing;
 Pricing;
 Target market segment;
 Stage of market readiness;
 Project Timelines and Deliverables and;
 Logistics Details.
Applications are assessed on technical and business merit as well as market drive. Applications will be
rated and awarded funding based on the information provided. The applicant will be contacted by the
review committee within 30 days of receipt of the proposal.
Submit proposals to:
Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM)
60 Research Drive, Suite A , Bible Hill
Nova Scotia B6L 2R2
Phone: 902-893-6510
Toll free: 1-866-844-4276
Fax: 902-893-7579
Email: [email protected]
Upon approval, applicants will receive a Letter of Agreement which identifies the eligible project
activities, assistance offered and the terms and conditions to which assistance is approved. Please
review this carefully, sign and return to the PBRM office.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include:
 Investment in strategic infrastructure, for example lean manufacturing enhancement,
specialized equipment and innovation capacity.
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Development and implementation of industry /sector strategies to adapt and respond to new
opportunities and emerging issues. For example, addressing critical pollination restrictions or
developing advanced genetics.
Short to medium term projects which address gaps in scientific knowledge targeting new
innovation opportunities.
Projects addressing strategic capacity issues, including sector analysis and feasibility studies.
Industry-led research, development and innovation projects which meet objectives.
Ineligible activities include:
 Normal business costs.
 Provincial specific branding, promotion or marketing that is detrimental to another province,
territory or Canada.
 Emergency response and recovery costs.
 Core provincial government activities such as on-going inspection services and reinforcement of
regulations.
 On-farm infrastructure which does not impact on overall sector competitiveness and enhanced
industry collaboration and partnerships.
Available Assistance
Funding support may vary depending on such factors as: level of innovation, government and private
investment; degree of risk; degree of industry reach; economic impact to sector; and other factors
deemed necessary by the Review Committee. For-profit entities must contribute at least twenty-five per
cent of the total cost of the capital items where a solid case for sector-wide benefit or impact is not
demonstrated.
The maximum funding for each project will generally not exceed $100,000 per applicant, per year and
funding from all sources cannot exceed 100% of project costs.
Eligible costs are the costs directly related to the project that fall within the recognized cost categories
and respect all conditions and limitations set out in this guide and the letter of agreement if the project
is approved. Examples include:
 Contract services
 Salaries and benefits
 Administration costs
 Capital assets and infrastructure that has broad industry benefits
 Other direct project costs
Ineligible project costs are, but not limited to, the following:
 Any costs incurred before April 1, 2015, or after March 31, 2018
 Assets and capital items not required to meet the project objective(s)
 On farm infrastructure which does not impact on overall sector competitiveness and enhanced
industry collaboration and partnerships
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Building and land purchases; new building construction
Direct income support
Normal costs of establishing a commercial operation
Costs related to normal commercial expansion
Refundable portion of the GST/HST, value-added taxes, or other items for which a refund or
rebate is receivable
Overhead administration costs calculated by a percentage of project costs
Hospitality
Financial audits
Other costs that NSDA deems ineligible
Claiming
All claims must be submitted by the date specified on the Letter of Agreement. Multiple claims can be
submitted any time up to the final claim date. Late claims will not be processed. All projects must be
paid for and completed by March 31, 2018.
Submit claims to the PBRM office with all supporting documentation. Provide copies of all invoices with
proof of payment to support completed approved project activities (e.g., cancelled cheques, credit card
statements, debit slips or official invoices marked paid and signed by supplier).
Written Report
Written report (s) are required upon completion of a project and are to be submitted no later than 90
days after the project completion date noted in the Letter of Agreement. Reports shall be a two-page
summary or factsheet of the project and findings. Failure to submit a final report will affect payment of
the final claim and affect future funding considerations by the PBRM administration. Reports may be
made available publically on the PBRM website.
Project Inspection and Audit
Review and evaluation of projects may be carried out by officials of the Nova Scotia Department of
Agriculture (NSDA) or other parties chosen by the NSDA for the purpose of audit, analysis, evaluation,
program development and determining assistance. This review and evaluation process may be
conducted prior to project commencement, during work or upon project completion.
Confidentiality
Applicants consent to the release of their name and the amount of support received under the program
as public information to be actively disseminated by the Department of Agriculture. Any other
information provided, unless disclosed in the manner and for the purposes stated above, will be subject
to the confidentiality and disclosure provisions to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
(FOIPOP) Act.
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