‘It can’t happen fast enough’
Production facility in the works for Robinson’s Cannabis in Kentville
Andrew Robinson knows one thing for certain as he builds a new business in the Annapolis Valley — there’s plenty of room for growth.
Robinson’s Cannabis is in the process of constructing a production facility on an 11.4-acre parcel of land the company purchased along Rockwell Drive in the Kentville Business Park.
“We’re building a 27,700-square foot marijuana production facility, and it will be used to grow and package dried marijuana for sale in the new market coming up, and in the existing medical market as well,” said Robinson, who founded Robinson’s Cannabis in 2014.
Knowing the federal government is working toward the legalization of marijuana in the summer, Robinson intends to be ready to gain ground in the emerging recreational market at the earliest opportunity.
“It’s the same production rules as it is for the medical market,” he said.
Robinson sees his company’s role within the industry resulting in positive economic spinoffs throughout the Annapolis Valley for years to come. He anticipates the first phase of their business
The inside of Grand Pré’s Horton Community Centre has been given a facelift after receiving local and provincial funding.
The centre received a grant of over $10,000 from the province’s Communities, Culture and Heritage Department. The department’s minister Leo Glavine toured the centre with Kings South MLA Keith Irving Jan. 23 to see the new ceiling insulation, updated electrical and sound systems.
They were joined on site by the plan will create “a good, solid 25 to 30 jobs.”
The ongoing construction project, worth an estimated $10 million, is providing work for several local contractors, Robinson said.
“It’s a long, slow, hard, expensive process but we’re getting there,” he added, reflecting on the time it has taken to get to this point.
Robinson, president and master grower at Robinson’s Cannabis, was disappointed to learn none of the nine NSLC locations provincially selected to sell cannabis once marijuana is legalized centre’s trustees chair Herman Mentnik.
The centre also received funding from the Eastern Kings Memorial Health Foundation, which was used to purchase and install an industrial dishwasher in the kitchen and for upgrades made to the kitchen’s cabinets, work table, and service counter.
A well-used building for community events, the centre will now be a “safer and more comfortable facility,” according to Mentnik.
Glavine applauded the renovations, calling the project, “a successful [one], resulting in a modern energy- efficient upgrade to a building constructed in the are located in the Annapolis Valley. This list of approved locations includes three sites within the Halifax Regional Municipality, and one in Yarmouth.
“That was a little bit concerning but, generally speaking, we’ll be a local supplier,” said Robinson, stressing that marijuana from out of province, be it legal or a product of the black market, does not create local jobs.
Robinson’s Cannabis is in the process of seeking the necessary approvals to become a licensed producer operating in coherence with Health Canada’s Access to From left, Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine, Horton Community Centre Trustees chair Herman Mentink and Kings South MLA Keith Irving pose for a photo.
1800s.”
Irving also spoke about the project.
“Community halls are the backbones of many rural Nova Scotia communities,” he said.
“It is imperative that positively proper Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulation. Robinson anticipates this process will come to a close following the completion of the production facility.
“It’s exciting. It can’t happen fast enough,” said Robinson, who is originally from the Annapolis Valley and wanted to base his business in a strong agricultural region.
“This is a huge opportunity to keep the jobs here (and) to have a local supplier.”
maintenance and upgrade work is performed on these important facilities to ensure they are able to effectively meet the needs of local residents.”
A Windsor woman is one of the newest members of Invest Nova Scotia’s board of directors.
Eleanor Beaton is a leadership mentor, keynote speaker, journalist, podcast host and now a board member of INS — an investment fund managed by a board of independent business owners and leaders.
It was announced Jan. 22 that Beaton, along with Charlotte Murray, of Halifax, will serve four- year terms on the board.
The goal of Invest Nova Scotia, which was established in 2014, is to provide economic development incentives to projects, not directly to businesses, that are seen to advance the province’s economic growth.
“We are pleased to welcome Eleanor and Charlotte to the board, and look forward to working alongside them as we continue to help innovation thrive in our province,” said Kenneth Deveau, chair of Invest Nova Scotia, in a press release.
One of the board’s main goals is to support the One Nova Scotia Commission goals, which was formed following the One Nova Scotia — Now or Never Report, also known as the Ivany Report.
“Eleanor and Charlotte have made their mark on the business community, here in Nova Scotia and across Canada,” said business minister Geoff MacLellan in a press release. “Their experience in both leading businesses and helping businesses grow, will help guide Invest Nova Scotia as they continue to fund innovative projects to grow our economy.”