V 1.0 June 2015 © 2015 Valley Regional Enterprise Network Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Although all data is believed to be the most accurate and up-to-date, the reader is advised to verify all data before making any decisions based upon the information contained in this document. Cover photo credit: Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce For further information, please contact: Kelly RM Ells, MBA, Chief Executive Officer Valley Regional Enterprise Network 35 Webster Street, Suite 102 Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1H4 Phone: 902-670-2287 Email: [email protected] www.nsvalleyren.ca Valley Regional Enterprise Network Community Economic Profile Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Location ............................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Climate .............................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Provincial Time Zone Advantage .......................................................................................... 5 2 DEMOGRAPHICS ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Population Size and Growth ................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Age Profile ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Language Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Immigration ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.5 Mobility Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 9 2.6 Level of Education ............................................................................................................ 10 2.7 Income ............................................................................................................................ 13 3 LABOUR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT ....................................................................................... 15 3.1 Key Indicators .................................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Labour Force by Occupation .............................................................................................. 16 3.3 Labour Force by Industry .................................................................................................. 18 3.4 Place of Work ................................................................................................................... 19 3.5 General Wages by Occupation ........................................................................................... 20 3.6 Economic History and Key Sectors ...................................................................................... 21 3.7 Largest Employers ............................................................................................................ 22 4 TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................. 24 4.1 Highways ......................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Rail Services..................................................................................................................... 25 4.3 Airports ........................................................................................................................... 26 4.4 Ports ............................................................................................................................... 27 5 GREEN ENERGY, CLEAN TECHNOLOGY AND RENEWABLES ................................................... 28 5.1 Solar ............................................................................................................................... 28 5.2 Wind ............................................................................................................................... 29 5.3 Tidal ................................................................................................................................ 29 5.4 Forest & Biomass .............................................................................................................. 30 6 TAXES AND UTILITIES ............................................................................................................ 31 6.1 Local Property Tax Rates ................................................................................................... 31 6.2 Federal and Provincial Income Tax Rates ............................................................................ 33 6.3 Waste Management .......................................................................................................... 36 6.4 Electricity ......................................................................................................................... 38 6.5 Water and Sewer .............................................................................................................. 40 6.6 Gas ................................................................................................................................. 45 7 BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT RELATED FEES ..................................................................... 46 7.1 Development Related Fees ................................................................................................ 46 8 BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES .................................................................. 53 8.1 Government ..................................................................................................................... 53 8.2 Non-Governmental Organizations ....................................................................................... 58 8.3 Post-Secondary Education, Training ................................................................................... 60 8.4 Financial Services ............................................................................................................. 61 8.5 Real Estate Services .......................................................................................................... 63 8.6 Developer Services ........................................................................................................... 64 9 QUALITY OF LIFE ..................................................................................................................... 65 9.1 Housing Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 65 9.2 Health, Social and Community Services............................................................................... 65 9.3 Public Elementary and Secondary Schools ........................................................................... 67 9.4 Emergency and Protective Services .................................................................................... 71 9.5 Recreation and Tourism .................................................................................................... 73 9.6 Events ............................................................................................................................. 75 9.7 Local Media ...................................................................................................................... 78 9.8 Communications Infrastructure .......................................................................................... 79 Valley Regional Enterprise Network Community Economic Profile APPENDIX A – GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES .................................................................................. 80 List of Figures Figure 1: Valley Regional Enterprise Network area Location Map ................................................ 2 Figure 2: Nova Scotia Location Map ......................................................................................... 5 Figure 3: Age Distribution Chart, 2015...................................................................................... 6 Figure 4: Educational Attainment, 2015 .................................................................................. 11 Figure 5: Labour Force by Occupation, 2015 ........................................................................... 16 List of Tables Table 1: Valley REN Average Temperature (°C) ........................................................................ 3 Table 2: Valley REN Average Precipitation ................................................................................ 4 Table 3: Population Change ..................................................................................................... 6 Table 4: Age Distribution, 2015 ................................................................................................ 7 Table 5: Language Characteristics, 2015 .................................................................................. 8 Table 6: Valley REN Mobility Rates, 2015 .................................................................................. 9 Table 7: Educational