Opportunities NB (ONB) recognizes that our ability to establish and strengthen relationships with our stakeholders is the foundation of our organization’s success. Attracting investment and new opportunities takes a well-coordinated and collaborative effort from all levels, which means building relationships with partners and clients at home and abroad.
Our stakeholders include our clients, the broader business community, and those public and private organizations that advocate for and provide services in support of a strong economic development ecosystem in New Brunswick.
Connecting is key
Organizations that actively listen and interact well with their partners and stakeholders are best equipped to understand risks and seize opportunities. ONB’s culture values connecting, listening and learning from our partners and stakeholders to become an even stronger organization. Our five-year strategic plan – Connect.Grow.Prosper. – includes metrics and key performance indicators to measure our organization’s impact. One of our strategic priorities is to drive a high-performance ecosystem, and that involves acting as a supporter, connector, and advocate for economic growth in New Brunswick. This includes ensuring our employees have a consistent vision and are equipped, empowered, and energized about our organizational purpose to serve the business community. At the end of the day, every ONB employee supports a whole-of-government approach to economic development that brings together our partners within GNB and beyond to support economic growth across the province.
Collaboration in action
1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses were subject to several restrictions put in place due to a Mandatory Order. These restrictions changed quickly and it was sometimes challenging for the business community and our clients to fully interpret and implement these changes. ONB identified a need to foster open dialogue and communication between government and the broader business community. Our team facilitated this dialogue by organizing regular touchpoints with major employers and the business community, represented by business associations – to enable businesses to ask questions and share their perspectives with decision-makers at Public Safety and the Department of Health.
2. ONB currently works with New Brunswick’s 12 Regional Service Commissions (RSCs) as they assume a new economic development mandate as part of the province’s local governance reform. ONB has dedicated a staff member to liaise and engage with each RSC as they work to develop local economic plans and activities to ensure that we are both aware of the priorities that are being identified at the local level and supporting each region to be investment ready.
A decade of support
“Since its inception, ONB has always been a results-driven organization. Spring 2025 will mark our 10-year anniversary, and we are still working hard to ensure we find new ways to better serve our clients with the proactive support they have come to expect from us,” notes ONB CEO Traci Simmons. “This continued evolution would not be possible without the input, support, advice, and advocacy that we receive from our partners and stakeholders.”
Events like the recent BDC Small Business Week offer opportunities for the business community to recognize the importance of small businesses within their local communities. These occasions are also opportunities for ONB to remind our partners and stakeholders of the services and support that we offer to businesses. Whether it’s helping clients navigate regulations and connect with the right partners through our Business Navigators or leading the identification and adoption of competitive business regulations through our work across GNB, ONB is always there for New Brunswick’s business community.
Our team is always open to a meeting or a partnership that can support our objective of fostering a high-performance ecosystem in New Brunswick. Interested in becoming a partner? Connect with our team here.