The Wolfville Business Development Corporation (WBDC) has been an essential part of the Wolfville business community for over 40 years. The WBDC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation representing the interests of businesses in Wolfville in partnership with the Town of Wolfville.

The WBDC is financially supported through a grant from the Town of Wolfville, which comes from the commercial area rate.

The current funding agreement between the Town and the WBDC is up for renewal and the Town needs to hear from the business community before a new agreement is approved.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and provide your recommendation to Council.

Town Council will be welcoming your ideas and insights at a drop-in listening session on Wednesday, February 18 from 5 - 7pm at the Wolfville Legion - save the date!

The current funding agreement has been in place for three years. Here's what the WBDC has been up to:

Business Support & Engagement

• Automatic membership for all in-town businesses operating in a commercial space; 11 additional Affiliate Members from surrounding areas (2025). This grew from 4 in 2024 and projected to grow in 2026 by 5-6 members.
• Launch of four annual Business Awards (2024): Social Media, Community Contribution, Best New Business, and Business Excellence. (Business Excellence Trophy is a highlight)
• Ongoing business support via marketing, photography, directory listings, and office resources.
• Continued partnership with Acadia LaunchBox to provide hands-on support for local businesses. This has been focused on marketing and we now have an opportunity to offer basic accounting services to businesses.
• Lunch and learn sessions which were well attended (2 in 2022, 2 in 2023, 2 in 2024 and 5 in 2025)
• Jeremy has been on host committees for Nova Scotia Music Week, Curling Pre-trials and a working group for inclusive employment with L'Arche Homefires.

Economic Programs

• When In Wolfville Gift Card - launched on July 8, 2024 with 35 participating businesses: just over $100,000 sold; now accepted by 66 businesses; 2-4 more to be added by January 2026. WBDC covers backend fees (Program fee + card loading fees of $1.25 per card)($1,000 - $1200 per month).
• Wolfville-opoly: Local board game with proceeds supporting beautification around town and business initiatives. Offered 34 advertising opportunities on the board. Polled WBDC Board of Directors, residents and Acadia students for a 'Top 50' list. Only 2 businesses declined the advertising offer. Major contributions from the Town of Wolfville and Acadia University. Produced a Wolfville-opoly commercial.

Tourism & Visitor Services

• WBDC assumed Visitor Information Centre operations in 2025; interacted with 5,000+ visitors in this first season. (This includes Winery Bus Check-ins)
• Successful Tourism Nova Scotia grants (TDAP, Emerging Destinations) supporting marketing and winter tourism development. TDAP grant was used to produce the When In Wolfville Gift Card Commercial. Emerging Destinations grant was awarded this year which will be highlighting Wolfville as a winter destination through Tourism Nova Scotia's website and Social Media channels. (Content to be completed this winter, highlighting with TNS to begin next winter)
• Developed a Wolfville Visitors Guide for the VIC highlighting local attractions and business.
• Jeremy was appointed to the Tourism Working Committee with the Valley Ren

Beautification & Placemaking

• Annual town beautification: 100 flower baskets (doubled since 2022), 80 holiday wreaths (almost doubled since 2022), and holiday lighting investments with the town. Sold advertising for the new lighted tunnels which contributes an additional $2500 in revenue for Christmas seasonal programming. Assisted with murals on Farmers' Market and beside Charts Cafe.
• Public features: In cooperation with the Town; the WOLFVILLE sign and four industrial hammocks (2024).
• Planned improvements: public murals, alleyway upgrades, improved Waterfront Park seating, and Shoppers Drug Mart parkette revitalization. Funds for these projects will come from the sale of merch e.g. Wolfville-opoly.
• The Front Street side wall of The Anvil has been approved for the WBDC to use for a wayfinding mural. This will be discussed and planned with town approval.
• Jeremy has regular meetings with Tristan from Happy Cities to brainstorm and exchange ideas.

Marketing & Branding

• changed Social media channels from 'doitinwolfville' to 'wheninwolfville' in 2022.
• Transition from Board Member to in-house social media management for stronger, more aligned digital storytelling. A new social media manager (Kat) was hired in 2025 to help deliver a new more people focussed approach to business promotion and more focus on When In Wolfville as a brand. In 2021/22 there were approximately 7500 followers on Instagram and Facebook. In 2025, we have grown that to over 20,000 followers with increased interaction.
• Continued development of the When In Wolfville platform as the town’s unified destination brand. In addition, we developed a new tourism website www.wheninwolfville.com which has developed into an important resource for the VIC and tourism in general.

What's next for the WBDC?

1. Business Growth & Sustainability - Strengthen Business Success - Regular business check-ins and networking sessions - Expanded business workshops and resource hub.
2. Year-Round Tourism Development - Advance Wolfville as a Four-Season Destination - Enhanced Winter in Wolfville experiences. - Seasonal visitor guides and expanded VIC services.
3. Community & Cultural Engagement - Long-term beautification strategy and public art installations. - Completion of alleyway and parkette improvements.
4. Marketing & Destination Promotion - Growth of the When In Wolfville brand and seasonal marketing campaigns. - Increased business collaboration and shared content. - Target: 50% growth in digital engagement to 30,000 followers
5. Organizational Excellence & Collaboration - Stronger data collection and reporting to the Town. - Continued partnership-building across sectors.

Anticipated Gaps & Needs Moving Forward (1–3 Years)

1. Need for stronger, year-round marketing of Wolfville and its businesses.
2. Need for improved data collection and reporting capacity.
3. Need for more structured business support (training, digital tools, engagement).
4. Need for clearer, shared strategy for tourism delivery and visitor experience.
5. Need for sustained resources to match growing economic development expectations.