Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce

Progress.  That's the town of Yarmouth's motto and the underlying force that inspires the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. Building a progressive community takes co-operation and innovation, a goal that is accomplished by combining the efforts of the community and business leaders.  With this goal in mind, the Chamber of Commerce helps pioneer new initiatives that showcase Yarmouth's abundant natural resources and business opportunities to the world.   

One of the many advantages of doing business in Yarmouth is the location.  Jim Greig, executive director of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce, knows firsthand about accessing the global market.  From his office overlooking the runway at the Yarmouth International Airport, he sees new opportunities for business everyday.  "We are the closest point in Nova Scotia to New England, so it seems logical for this to be the hub for transportation," Greig says.  "If anyone was wishing to manufacture and export to the United States, this is an ideal place to be."  
 
Yarmouth is sometimes referred to as "The Gateway to Nova Scotia" and it's not hard to see why.  On this southern tip of Nova Scotia surrounded by the sea, there are a plethora of possibilities for business and industry.  "We're interested in seeing the establishment of a year-round ferry service to New England. Right now we have about 300 million dollars worth of seafood that moves from this area to the Boston area and this product is trucked to New England, that's a long journey," Greig says. "Putting in a ferry service capable of carrying large trucks would cut down on traffic and make a direct connection, not just for Yarmouth but right across the province." 
 
Shipping by boat directly to the United States is an asset for those concerned with fast delivery and rising fuel costs. "Shipping by boat is one of the most economical ways to move product anywhere and here we are sitting on a body of water that connects us to all sorts of ports along the Eastern seaboard," Greig says. " Time of delivery is so important nowadays, and it's only 10 hours from here to Boston, only 5 hours to Portland. When you consider the time it takes for trucks it seems strange not to grasp this opportunity to not get back into the shipping business."
 
With Yarmouth's coastal beauty and accessibility, a variety of businesses can grow and flourish. Just one of the hot products coming out of Yarmouth is something most of us might not think twice about - a worm.  The sea worm is a salt-water worm dug from mud flats and it's in high demand with the world sports fishing community.  "Hundreds of people work in this industry here," Greig says. "The worms are in demand along the eastern United States, France and Spain.  We ship them to France and Spain via Boston."  
 
For businesses, setting up shop in a small community comes with plenty of benefits, including a way of life that is second to none.  For over 35 years, Tri-Star Industries Limited, a Chamber member, has manufactured ambulances in Yarmouth and shipped them to over 42 countries worldwide.  "They export to the Caribbean, the Middle East, Scandinavian countries," Greig says. "And here they are at the south end of Nova Scotia.  They thrive here and prefer to be here because of the way of life." 
 
The ability to balance work and life abounds in Nova Scotia.  Greig says he used to joke with colleagues in Montreal and Toronto about his morning commute. "I'd say 'Gee, we had a heck of a time getting to work, took me 7 and a half minutes to drive here this morning'," he laughs. "These guys in Toronto would be up at 5 o'clock in the morning for a 2 and a half hour commute!"  
 
With an innovative Chamber of Commerce, a great work-life balance and a thriving business community, what is Yarmouth's best kept secret?  It's beaches. Greig says you won't find crowds or heavy traffic, just miles and miles of beautiful beach along the ocean.  "You can come here and travel to little communities along both shores of Nova Scotia and find beaches that don't have twenty people on them in the middle of summer," he says.  "You can walk the beach, dig for clams, go swimming and have a lobster cookout on a picnic table overlooking the ocean, what could be better?"