Innovation Rebate Program Disclosures - 2018/19

The following Innovation Rebate Program incentives were announced during the fiscal year of 2018-19.

February 19, 2019

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for Ocean Crisp Apple Company Incorporated.

Based in Kentville with a secondary operation site in Windsor, Ocean Crisp Apple Company began storing, packing and marketing apples with the 2018 crop. Ocean Crisp Apple Company represents 10 per cent of the province’s apple industry.

The company is proceeding with a $4,895,065 capital investment to add a pre-sorting line, a packaging line, expansion of juicing operation, and a controlled atmosphere storage facility.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $1,168,766.25 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $4,675,065.

January 30, 2019

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for Surrette Battery Company Limited.

Since 1959 Surrette Battery has been a leading North American manufacturer of lead storage batteries.

The Springhill-based company is investing in new equipment and technology to increase the plant's output. By proceeding with a $4,800,990 total capital investment in automation and formation equipment, the company will increase its capacity, and take on more business in international markets.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $1,200,247 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $4,800,990.

January 15, 2019

Invest Nova Scotia (INS) has an agreement with Canadian Maritime Engineering Limited in the form of an innovation rebate.

For over 30 years, the company has serviced a range of marine and industrial companies including machining, mechanical, welding, fabrication and specialty coating.

Canadian Maritime Engineering Limited is investing in new infrastructure and equipment to expand its North Sydney operations. The company is proceeding with a $3.16 million capital investment to increase capabilities to manufacture steel and aluminum small and medium marine vessels.

This investment by the company will allow its seasonal operation to operate year-round, making it more globally competitive.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $756,473 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $3,025,890.

Invest Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s business development agency that works to promote economic growth and community economic development in the province by enabling business, innovation and entrepreneurship. 

We are Nova Scotians supporting businesses small and large; new and new to our province.

December 18, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for McConnell Gordon Estates Limited, also known as Benjamin Bridge Vineyards.

McConnell Gordon Estates Limited is investing in an expansion of its winery operations to increase capacity. The Gaspereau, Kings Co.-based company is proceeding with a $5,359,125 total capital investment to develop its winemaking facilities with new automated equipment and infrastructure. With the expanded facility, and automated equipment, they can accept and fulfil new, bigger orders.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $1,317,375 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $5,269,500.

November 27, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for John Ross and Sons Ltd.

Incorporated in 1955, the company specializes in the purchasing, grading, handling and processing of scrap metals from manufacturers, contractors, recycling yards and individuals.

John Ross and Sons Ltd. is investing in new technology to increase its capacity in markets outside Nova Scotia. The Halifax-based company is proceeding with a $4.5 million total capital investment to install a wire and cable recycling plant. The plant takes raw material and by using a range of technologies and processes, refines, separates and sorts the material into separate components.

This new plant will allow the company to extract high-valued materials more efficiently, and in turn, will increase productivity and capacity.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $1,070,296 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $4.5 million.

October 23, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.

Since 1971, Michelin's Pictou County site has been home to the company's second-largest rubber-mixing operation. The facility also produces passenger-car and light-truck tires, curing membranes and houses corporate offices.

Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. is taking new steps to develop its Pictou operation with new equipment that will be the first of its kind in North America. The company is proceeding with a $14,278,000 total capital investment to install an innovative semi-finished manufacturing process, creating products that will be used in Michelin sites across the continent.

New equipment will create a previously imported product and will improve efficiency with faster production processes, increasing capacity of the facility and global competitiveness.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $3,569,500 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $14,278,000.

October 16, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for B.R. Printing Plates Company Limited, also known as Maritime Labels and Packaging.

Founded in 1970, the company has been providing product labels and other services to small and medium-sized business clients - many who have grown as exporters and rely on strong product labelling such as Nova Scotia wine producers, craft brewers and other businesses.

B.R. Printing Plates Company Limited is taking new steps to innovate and increase its services to additional clients and markets outside Nova Scotia. The Bedford-based company is proceeding with a $2,161,338 total capital investment to update its label making and processing equipment. This will be done through the acquisition of updated equipment in offline finishing, shrink sleeves, flexographic plate making, core cutting and a digital printing press.

New equipment will allow the company to increase efficiency with faster production processes, reduce waste, and increase production capacity to enter new markets.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $540,335 upon completion of its project, based on eligible capital spending of $2,161,338.

July 17, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for Kohltech International Limited.

Kohltech International Limited designs and manufactures high quality and energy efficient windows and entrance systems.

The Debert-based company is proceeding with a $5,365,164 total capital investment to increase the capacity of their insulated glass fabrication line. This will be done through the implementation of a secondary glass cutting machine along with the infrastructure to support its addition. This new machine will use new technology to detect imperfections and improve safety and efficiency. They will also be introducing CNC equipment in their coatings and entrance door facilities to increase capacity and competitiveness.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $843,388 upon completion of its project, based on eligible Nova Scotia capital spending of $3,373,552.

July 10, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate for Oxford Frozen Foods.

Oxford Frozen Foods is the world’s largest supplier of quality frozen wild blueberries and Canada’s premier processor of frozen carrot products.

The Oxford-based operation is proceeding with a $2.82 million total capital investment to implement state of the art product sorting equipment, using digital and visual systems, to provide enhanced sorting capabilities and increase production capacity.

The company has been approved for a maximum rebate of $702,205 upon completion of its project, based on eligible Nova Scotia capital spending of $2.80 million.

June 19, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a new business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate. Agropur Cooperative is a North American dairy industry leader, with a complete line of dairy products.

The Truro-based operation will use the rebate to create an innovative production line, novel to the national ice cream market in Canada.

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $1,843,776 through NSBI once the project is completed within three years, based on eligible Nova Scotia capital spending of $7.37 million.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a new business development incentive in the form of an innovation rebate. Scotian Gold is a grower-owned tree fruit cooperative that stores and packs over 50 per cent of the province's apple production.

The company is based in Coldbrook, King’s Co. and plans to expand its storages with new technology, equipment and software in order to increase fruit quality and extend the marketing season. 

The company is eligible to earn a maximum innovation rebate of $477,333.00 through NSBI once the project is completed within three years, based on eligible Nova Scotia capital spending of $1.9 million.

April 11, 2018

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved an Innovation Rebate for A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. The Innovation Rebate Program incents companies located in Nova Scotia undertaking capital investments to increase their competitiveness in global markets.

A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. is Nova Scotia’s oldest and largest family-owned shipyard. The company is proceeding with a $6.65-million total capital investment to expand capacity by upgrading its marine railway, modifying its yard facilities, and purchasing new equipment all to help increase capacity and export sales from its facility in Meteghan River, Nova Scotia.

In particular, the company will expand its marine railways capacity to 1500 tonnes, up from its current 600 tonnes. This improvement opens new markets for A.F. Theriault to produce larger boats. As well, the company will be able to work on multiple projects at the same time.

A.F. Theriault & Son has been approved for a maximum rebate upon completion of its project of $1,536,877 based on eligible Nova Scotia capital spending of $6,650,000.

Quick facts

• The Innovation Rebate Program was developed in consultation with Nova Scotia companies.
• The Innovation Rebate Program provides financial incentives on projects that enable a company to increase innovation capacity through private-sector capital investments or adoption of new technologies and business processes.
• The program provides a 25 per cent rebate based on eligible project costs, as defined in the Innovation Rebate Program Guidelines.
• The total project cost must be between $2 million and $15 million. The maximum amount of eligible project costs to which the IRP rebate will be applied is $15,000,000.
• The maximum rebate amount for an eligible project, including related parties, cannot exceed $3,750,000 over a 24-month period.
• The Innovation Rebate works as a rebate against a company’s direct costs, and is only paid out once the project is complete.