Invest Here
Invest Here
Discover why Pictou County is the perfect place to invest and grow your company.
Pictou County is ideally located in northeastern Nova Scotia, offering multimodal access to key trade routes and abundant natural resources, providing fast connections to markets in North America and Europe. With affordable land, low operating costs, a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly tax environment, it is the ideal location to maximize your business’s potential.
With short commutes, affordable housing, and a welcoming, diverse community, employees can easily balance career demands with family life, leisure, and personal growth. The county continues to invest in initiatives that promote community integration, newcomer support, and social cohesion, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and included as the region grows.
The Pictou County Partnership is committed to supporting investors and businesses, providing hands-on assistance with site and property searches, business case development, and leveraging local expertise to champion your company’s growth, expansion, or relocation within our county.
Location
Pictou County is strategically located within the Halifax–Moncton–Cape Breton trade corridor, offering direct access to the Northumberland Strait, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Port of Pictou. This location links the region seamlessly to Atlantic Canada, central Canadian markets, and international trade routes.
The county’s Atlantic Time Zone enables same-day communication with both North America and Europe, while quick flight connections through Halifax Stanfield International Airport and access to three nearby ports (Pictou, Halifax, and the Strait of Canso) provide fast, cost-effective logistics.
Proximity to renewable energy developments and major urban centres such as Halifax and Moncton strengthens competitiveness, while hundreds of acres of industrial land and abundant natural resources, including feedstock and critical minerals, create a strong foundation for growth.
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Infrastructure
Pictou County offers world-class infrastructure that supports a wide range of industries and enables efficient business operations.
Pictou County is strategically connected through highways, rail, and ports, providing seamless access to domestic and international markets. The county has available industrial land and parks ready for development. Local businesses provide specialized support for infrastructure projects, logistics, and custom manufacturing needs.
Our Advantages
Located within 1 hour and 30 minutes of Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Proximity to Canada’s closest mainland port to Europe and the U.S. East Coast
Multimodal access to U.S. and Canadian markets within 1 day
Do business across time zones within the same day in the Americas and Europe
Economy
Businesses and Jobs
Top Industries by Jobs
Retail Trade
3,475 Jobs
Health Care & Social Assistance
3,210 Jobs
Manufacturing
1,830 Jobs
Construction
Invest Here
Priority Sectors
To build a more sustainable and resilient economy, we are leveraging our strategic location, skilled workforce, and abundant natural resources to drive growth in the green and blue economies and manufacturing. Our prime location positions us as a hub for these sectors, connecting businesses to Canadian and international markets. Additionally, with a lower cost of doing business, our county offers a competitive advantage for investors seeking stable, long-term opportunities in these high-growth industries.
Green Economy
Investment Sectors
Located within the emerging Atlantic Green Hydrogen Corridor, Pictou County is primed to be a hub for the green economy, leveraging its critical minerals, geothermal energy, the Port of Pictou, and skilled workforce. Our prime location allows us to effectively meet the increasing supply chain and workforce demands of renewable energy, cleantech, and sustainable manufacturing industries.
Blue Economy
Investment Sectors
Our county is uniquely positioned to lead in emerging blue industries like marine electrification, thanks to its proximity to the Northumberland Strait, the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), and top-tier educational institutions. With rich marine assets, direct access to trade routes, and the Port of Pictou, the county offers an exceptional environment for investment, environmental stewardship, and the creation of sustainable, long-term jobs.
Manufacturing
Investment Sectors
Manufacturing has long been the backbone of Pictou County’s economy, with a history ranging from steel production to building boxcars for Canada’s rail network. Today, it continues to be a key driver of the economy, serving as a vital link to the forestry and rail sectors in Atlantic Canada.
With abundant natural resources, access to major trade routes, the Port of Pictou, and lower operational costs compared to urban centers, Pictou County offers an ideal business environment. Companies such as EastCut Wood Building Solutions, MacGregors Industrial Group, Michelin Tire Canada, and MacKay Meters thrive in Pictou County, serving both local and international markets.
Explore Our Key Sectors
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Business Environment
Dedicated support through the Pictou County Partnership, Invest Nova Scotia, and municipal partners ensures that investors are never on their own. We work directly with businesses to provide hands-on guidance, fast-track approvals, and seamless connections to the networks and resources needed for success. The result is a business environment with less red tape, more momentum, and a clear path from idea to implementation.
The county’s exceptional affordability, with significantly lower land, lease, and operational costs compared to larger urban centres such as Halifax, ensures long-term savings. Companies also benefit from reduced net lease rates, lower Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges, and more efficient development expenses, creating an environment where investments grow stronger and faster.
Investors
Ecosystem
Economic Development Organizations
Investors gain access to leading institutions such as Dalhousie University, St. Francis Xavier University, Acadia University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Nova Scotia Community College, all of which provide talent, research, and industry partnerships.
Innovation Hubs
Regional innovation hubs such as IGNITE Atlantic and Volta, offer mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for companies.
Post-Secondary Education
Investors gain access to leading institutions such as Dalhousie University, St. Francis Xavier University, Acadia University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Nova Scotia Community College, all of which provide talent, research, and industry partnerships.
The International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) Corridor of Incubators
Business Expansion and Retention
The Pictou County Partnership acts as a facilitator and connector, providing hands-on support to help businesses grow, scale, and thrive in the region. By partnering with the Pictou County Partnership, companies gain a collaborative, proactive environment where every stage of expansion is supported, helping you grow faster, operate smarter, and succeed in a competitive market.
Site Selection and Development
We guide investors to the right locations and streamline approvals, ensuring operations can launch quickly and efficiently.
Expansion Advisory and Workforce Support
We connect companies with local and international talent pathways through workforce partners and immigration pathways such as the Rural Communities Immigration Pilot (RCIP) to scale operations.
Ongoing Business Retention Programs
Our team works closely with existing companies to identify opportunities, address challenges, and support long-term growth.
Access to Provincial and Federal Resources
We guide businesses to incentives, grants, and programs designed to accelerate growth, improve operational efficiency, and reduce risk.
Growth Stories
Stories of Growth and Innovation
Discover what is happening with businesses and investment initiatives in our community.
Do you have land or a building that could be perfect for commercial use or development? The Pictou County Partnership is compiling an inventory of available properties, and we want to include yours!
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