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    Step 1

    Book an appointment with one of our Development Officer.

    Contact Development Officer 
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    Step 2

    Your Development Officer will give you details on what loans are available for your business, and will guide you achieving your goals.

    Application Documents 
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    Step 3

    Once your application is completed it will be reviewed. Investment decisions are made by our Board of Directors sensitive to the needs of its community.

    Board Members 
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How are CBDC different from banks?

CBDC have the ability to spend more time providing advice and assistance to entrepreneurs.

2023-2024 Fiscal Year

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does CBDC Blue Water do?

CBDC Blue Water provides small business loans, general business advice, consultation programs, and a host of other supports for entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow their own business in rural Halifax Regional Municipality.

What service area do you cover?

We service the area known as old Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), covering the rural areas between Ecum Secum and Hubbards, including communities such as Tantallon, Timberlea, Lower Sackville, Beaverbank, Eastern Passage, The Prestons, Porters Lake, Sheet Harbour, and Middle Musquodoboit, but excluding the metro areas of Halifax, Bedford, and Dartmouth.

Rural HRM Municipality

How are CBDCs different from banks?

While banks and credit unions are important and have a key role to play in business development, CBDCs operate quite differently.

  • CBDCs have the ability to spend more time providing advice and assistance to entrepreneurs.
  • CBDCs have a mandate to help businesses start, grow, and remain competitive in today's marketplace. Although our loan interest rates are priced competitively, we do not compete with banks and credit unions.
  • When people apply for a business loan, we place much emphasis on the character of the applicant, and the merit of the business. (More information below.)
  • CBDCs are also more flexible during the repayment process, particularly with seasonal options. CBDCs allow you to make lump sum payments or to pay your loan off at any point through the terms of the loan without penalty.

What type of business should I start?

Most businesses are developed because of a personal hobby or passion. At CBDC Blue Water we do not provide business ideas, we provide advice and training in relation to your idea. A very good point to remember, you as the business owner will not only work within your business 40-50 hrs. per week, but you will also need to carve out time to work on your business (marketing, bookkeeping, etc.).

How do I start a business?

The first step in any business start-up or expansion is the development of your business plan – putting your idea and the development of your idea on paper. You should also complete 2 years of financial projections (revenues and expenses) which should be done month by month.

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    Our Vision

    Entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunity for rural HRM.

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    Our Mission

    CBDC Blue Water promotes and develops economic growth and diversity by providing advisory, training, and lending services to entrepreneurs in rural HRM.

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Lunch & Learn Information Session

Self-Employment Benefits Program

Join us for a lunch & learn information session, chat with past SEB participants that will share their successful journey through the SEB program.

Register Here