2017-2018
Market Development and
Investment Attraction
Guidelines
Version 2
Our mandate is to grow the rural economy of this province and
we will do that by investing in agriculture.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
Market Development and Investment Attraction 2
For more information please contact:
Department of Agriculture
Programs and Business Risk Management
74 Research Drive,
Bible Hill, Nova Scotia B6L 2R2
Tel: 902-893-6377
Toll free: 1-866-844-4276
Fax: 902-893-7579
Email: [email protected]
novascotia.ca/programs
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
Market Development and Investment Attraction 3
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 objectives the Market Development and Investment Attraction program are to encourage the
agriculture, agri-food and seafood industries to expand their current established market share and
foster economic growth through 1) accessing new and emerging markets; 2) retaining and expanding
existing markets; and 3) developing and marketing value-added products that are globally competitive.
The intent is to optimize and accelerate growth and development of the agriculture, agri-food industry
and seafood industries. The ultimate objective of the program 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 Market Development and Investment
Attraction program.
The Market Development program will impact agriculture, agri-food and seafood industries through:
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Accelerated industry growth and development enabling access to new markets, improved market
penetration and market share;
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Improved competitive positioning through more direct contact with customers and stakeholders or
through enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of business activities;
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Increased added-value and market driven initiatives enabling increased sales and profitability;
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Enhanced industry partnerships and increased collaboration among and between sectors;
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Improved capacity to attract and retain investment; and
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Increased competitiveness and enhanced business opportunities for the agriculture and agri-food
industries.
Note: Start-ups are not eligible
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Market Development and Investment Attraction 4
General Program Information
Who is Eligible to Apply?
 Eligible applicants are registered farms, commodity organizations, industry associations, agri-food
businesses, processors (including seafood when focused on international market development), notfor-profit organizations and associations including cooperatives, marketing boards and government
organizations.
 Applicants must generate an annual gross income of $10,000 or more.
 Agri-food business and associations must clearly demonstrate a direct partnership and beneficial
economic impact to the Nova Scotia primary agricultural and seafood industries by adding economic
value beyond primary production, as noted below:
o Processing companies (both food and bio-industrial) with a physical manufacturing or processing
presence in Nova Scotia and sourcing available raw inputs and/or products from the local
primary industry.
o Producers and groups of producers who are adding economic value to their products beyond
the primary production of crops and livestock.
NOTE: Applicants with an active/ current approval through the Market Development and Investment
Attraction program are not eligible for new proposal submissions. The following are also not considered
eligible applicants: brokers, wholesalers and distributors.
How to Apply
Step 1 - Submit the completed Letter of Intent Form, to the Programs and Business Risk Management
(PBRM) office of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture by January 27, 2017. Letters of Intent will
be reviewed by Value Chain Division of the NS Department of Agriculture. A Business Development
Officer may contact you to discuss your Letter of Intent.
Step 2 - If your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be provided with a template to submit a detailed
proposal to the Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) office by March 29, 2017. Full
proposals will be reviewed and considered for funding approval by a Selection Committee of industry
peers and/or subject matter experts. Ratings are based on the Selection Criteria and Weighting form.
Proposal Content
Proposals must follow the template provided. A business case and the financial impact of your project
must be clearly identified as they apply to your industry or agri-food business, seafood sector as well as
to the rural and coastal communities of Nova Scotia. Eligible proposals will be reviewed by a Review
Committee composed of individuals of diverse expertise and background.
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.
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Market Development and Investment Attraction 5
Submit proposals to:
Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM)
74 Research Drive,
Bible Hill, Nova Scotia B6L 2R2
Phone: 902-893-6377 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
The following are eligible activities as they relate directly to market development opportunities for
agriculture and includes seafood for international activities:
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market research and strategic planning initiatives;
development of new product advertising, product labels and packaging specific to new market
expansion;
trade shows/ product showcasing/ promotional events/in-coming and outgoing missions;
market investigative travel:
o assistance may be available to support up to two (2) business representatives,
o only economy airfare will qualify for assistance,
o maximum cap/ day in assistance for receipted meals is $100.00
o maximum cap/ day in assistance for receipted overnight accommodations is $300.00
o investigative travel may be limited and final decision to support will be determined by
the Review Committee
in-country representation in strategic international markets, .i.e., posting abroad;
capacity building as it relates to international market development skills including workshops,
export readiness seminars in market presentations, etc.;
pilot projects, conducted by an eligible applicant, focused on addressing distribution and
logistics barriers i.e. less than container loads, air transportation lift capacity etc.;
communication activities –initial web site development/ design costs and up to two social
media/web based promotions or media events;
contract services specific only to the proposed market expansion;
salaries and benefits specific only to the proposed market expansion;
administration costs specific only to the proposed market expansion;
specialized innovative technologies such as packaging equipment innovations that has broad
industry benefits and relates to competitively pursuing new market opportunities, either
domestic or international for agri-businesses or international only for seafood processors
(justification must be clearly identified in the proposal); and
costs for human resources (HR) to conduct food and chef demonstrations.
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Market Development and Investment Attraction 6
Ineligible activities include:
 alcoholic beverage purchases;
 normal business costs;
 provincial specific branding, promotion or marketing that is detrimental to another province,
territory or Canada;
 activities related to aquaponic food production, and to aquaculture, seaweed, fish and seafood
production and processing;
 any costs incurred before or after the dates specified in your Letter of Agreement;
 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;
 building and land purchases; new building construction;
 direct income support;
 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;
 sponsorships;
 non-stationery promotional materials and giveaways; and
 other costs that NSDA deems ineligible.
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.
The maximum funding for each project will not exceed $100,000 per applicant, per year. Funding will be
available up to 75% for the 2017-18 program year. Expenses will be counted and reimbursed only in the
program fiscal year they are incurred.
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. Eligible approved project expenses will be recognized back to April 01, 2017.
NOTE: No more than 75 per cent of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost
incurred and paid for by the applicant, regardless of source. Applicants are required to disclose all
funding sources.
Claiming
All claims must be submitted by March 01, 2018. Multiple claims can be submitted any time up to the
final claim date. Late claims will not be processed. Approved projects must be paid for, completed and
claimed to Programs by March 1, 2018.
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Market Development and Investment Attraction 7
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
The final written report must be submitted no later than 30 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.
Program Evaluation 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 any time prior to project commencement, during work or after project completion.
Applicants may be asked to complete an evaluation survey statement related to their final claim.
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.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES 2017–2018
Market Development and Investment Attraction 8
Scoring Template for Full Proposal Invitees
Program: Market Development and Investment Attraction
Key Components:
Weight %
1.
Comprehensive Project Description
a. Project Overview
- Description of key points/goals/activities/expected results
- Identification of collaboration
b. Background Information and Statement of the Problem/Opportunity
- History of project activities
- Indication of why project should be funded
25%
2.
Business Case
a. Project Objectives and Value Proposition
- Overlap between proposal and guideline objectives
- Discussion of value proposition for the business
- Benefits to the business (i.e. competition, innovation, profitability)
- Discuss your current market share.
b. Methods
- Timelines
- Link between methods and objectives
- Identification of any new, unique, or innovative actions
c. Available Resources/Support
- Listing of project partners and their contributions to the project (funding, resources,
materials, donations, etc.)
- Describe the current financial status of the business.
d. Required Resources/Support
- Description of personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, communication, etc.
- Description of how current facilities can meet demand if market share is increased
e. Impact to the Nova Scotia Agriculture Industry and/or Seafood Industry
- Details of specific market and customer information
- Project’s strategic, market, or economic advantage
50%
3.
Budget and Financing
- Listing of all project expense details, including eligible and non-eligible items
- Identification of costs shared with other organizations
10%
4.
Project Management Plan and Expertise
- Description of how project will be executed, monitored, and controlled
- Description of project management team (roles, expertise)
- Identification of project partners
10%
5.
Evaluation Plan
- Description of how project will be evaluated with reference to objectives
5%
6.
Appendices
- Do not include full business plans, marketing plans, strategies, or reports.
- Concise and relevant to proposed project
- Example include financial statements, letters of support, Cooperative Agency descriptions, and
contractor/product quotes
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