The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has invested $545,249 in Saint John-based entrepreneurship hub ConnexionWorks and $3,007,434 in 10 New Brunswick Community Business Development Corporations and its association.

The ConnexionWorks funds allow the non-profit to offer its Premier Entrepreneurship Program over the next two years, providing early-stage entrepreneurs from Greater Saint John with the training, resources, and networking needed to launch their businesses, ACOA said in a statement.

The CBDC funds are part of the $12.6 million allocated to support the 41 CBDCs in Atlantic Canada that encourage mainly rural development, the economic development agency said..

CBDCs are independent non-profit organizations that offer programs and services to support community economic development and the growth of small businesses. They are led by volunteer boards of directors representing communities.

“The contribution from ACOA to the CBDC New Brunswick network directly supports our rural economies, and has benefited small businesses greatly in their development, growth and expansion,” said Scott Tidd, the Executive Director of the NB Association of CBDCs.