Market Development and Investment Attraction 2015-2016 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 Market Development and Investment Attraction 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 encourage the agriculture, agri-food and seafood industries to expand their 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: Accelerated industry growth and development enabling access to new markets, improved market penetration and market share; Improved competitive positioning through more direct contact with customers and stakeholders or through enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of business activities; Increased added-value and market driven initiatives enabling increased sales and profitability; Enhanced industry partnerships and increased collaboration among and between sectors; Improved capacity to attract and retain investment; and Increased competitiveness and enhanced business opportunities for the agriculture and agri-food industries. 2
General Program Information Who is Eligible to Apply? Eligible applicants are registered farms, commodity organizations, industry associations, agri-food businesses (including seafood when focused on international market development), processors, notfor-profit organizations and associations including cooperatives, marketing boards and government organizations. Registered farms must generate an annual eligible gross farming 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. 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 Applications Process The Market Development and Investment Attraction 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, seafood sector as well as to the rural and coastal communities 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. 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 opportunities in domestic markets for agriculture and in international markets for both agriculture and seafood. Value-added and market driven initiatives implemented in a local context with export development goals and leverage funding and collaboration from multiple market development stakeholders are preferred. 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 and ability to pursue market opportunities; Background market research, information and analysis; Strategic plan; Business plan; Management capacity and experience; Production capability; Financing and cash flow; Investment sources and partners; 3
Costing; Pricing; 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. Submit proposals to: Programs and Business Risk Management (PBRM) 60 Research Drive, Suite A Bible Hill, Nova Scotia B6L 2R2 Phone: 902-893-6377 Toll free: 1-866-844-4276 Fax: 902-893-7579 Email: prm@gov.ns.ca 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. Market research and strategic planning initiatives Development of new product advertising, product labels and market specific packaging Trade shows/ product showcasing/ promotional events/in-coming and outgoing missions Market investigative travel 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 focused on addressing distribution and logistics barriers i.e. less than container loads, air transportation lift capacity etc. Communication activities social media/web based promotions, media events Ineligible activities include: 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 4
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 generally not exceed $100,000 per applicant, per year. In recognition of the frequent need to pursue new market opportunities over a several year period to effectively penetrate a new market, assistance may be available on projects over a multi-year period to a maximum of 3 years. Funding will be available in a declining formula as follows: Year 1-75%, Year 2-60%, Year 3-50%. Projects will be evaluated at the end of each year to determine if results and measurable achieved based on the multi-year plan in project proposals, at which point approval for continued funding may be given. Expenses will be counted and reimbursed only in the 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 the date the application was received. Examples include: Contract services Salaries and benefits Administration costs Specialized innovative technologies such as packaging equipment innovations that has broad industry benefits and relates to competitively pursuing new market and international opportunities Other direct project costs Ineligible project costs are, but not limited to, the following: 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 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 5
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. Approved projects must be paid for and completed by March 1, 2016. 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 at the end of each program year with a final report required upon completion of a project. The final reports must 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. 6