The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is loaning a Saint John co-working space $472,000 to fund a 12-month pilot project for a suite of new training, networking and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs in the area.

The program, called the Premier Entrepreneurship Program and hosted by ConnexionWorks on the city’s Germain Street, will work with partners in academia and business, with the details to be announced later.

“With this ACOA contribution we are able to strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape in the Saint John Region,” said ConnexionWorks co-founders Doug Jenkins and Heather Acker in a joint statement.

“Now with ACOA’s support we can offer our entrepreneurs more programs and business advisory resources so they have a clear guided path for them to grow their ideas into successful businesses that will help our region and our province to thrive.”