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Tantramar is where opportunity meets quality of life. For entrepreneurs launching a startup, expanding an existing business, or wanting to relocate to a more supportive and cost-effective environment, our municipality offers everything needed to live your best life. With a prime location at the crossroads of the Maritimes, businesses here enjoy easy access to regional and global markets, and our strong workforce, business-friendly policies, and competitive operating costs make Tantramar an ideal place to invest in your future.
Beyond business, life in Tantramar is second to none. Free parking, a thriving arts and culture scene, a welcoming community, and abundant green spaces create the perfect balance between work and play. If you’re looking for a place where your business can grow, and where you’ll love to live, Tantramar is ready to welcome you. Let’s build something great together.
Expert support is closer than the Bay of Fundy
Tantramar is open for business and ready to help you succeed. From tax incentives to site selection, funding opportunities to key partnerships, our team will connect you with the right tools and support. We can help you find commercial space, development areas, or property within our Industrial Park, and link you with regional and provincial economic development agencies. Whatever your vision, we’ll work with you to turn it into reality. Following are many of the supports available.
BizPal—BizPal is an online, one-stop service for entrepreneurs that simplifies the process of finding information on business permits and licences from all levels of government—federal, provincial, and municipal.
Mainstreet Redevelopment Sackville Inc.—Representing Sackville’s Business Improvement Area (BIA), Mainstreet provides information for economic development for existing businesses in downtown Sackville and aids in promoting the appearance of downtown businesses.
506-364-0404 (Chair)
Southeast Regional Service Commission—Approves subdivisions, processes amendments and variances to land use regulations, provides details for information regarding zoning configurations, issues building permits, and provides census and land ownership information.
Phone 506-364-4701
Fax 506-364-4714
Community Business Development Corporations—Provides financial, technical, and support services to new and expanding businesses in the southeastern region of New Brunswick. Offers a Young Entrepreneur Program.
Phone 506-532-8312 or 506-532-1373
Fax 1-800-925-6677
Opportunities New Brunswick—Provides assistance to businesses in establishing, maintaining, growing and improving their productivity and export efforts.
Phone 506-453-5471
Toll Free 1-855-746-4662
Fax 506-444-4277
Email info@onbcanada.ca
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)—BDC is the only bank dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs. They offer financing, venture capital, growth and transition capital, and consulting services.
Phone 1-888-463-6232
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency—Provides financial assistance, such as contribution loans, to companies in the manufacturing, processing, tourism, mining, and aquaculture industries and for research and development.
Phone 506-851-6432
Fax 506-851-3961
Your dollar goes further here
Doing business in Tantramar means lower costs without compromise. From property taxes and utility rates to leasing or buying commercial space, expenses here are significantly lower than in most cities across Atlantic Canada and New England. A lower cost of living and affordable talent also make it easier to attract and retain workers. In Tantramar, your business dollars go further—so you can focus on growth, innovation, and success.
Metered water
$32.70 Minimum Charge for 30 m3 or 6600 Gallons
$1.09 per m3
$45 Flat Rate for Water Treatment per quarter
Metered Sewer
$31.20 minimum charge for 30 m3 or 6600 gallons
$1.04 per m3
$45 Flat Rate for Sewer Treatment per quarter
Total Minimum Charge per quarter: $135.70
Charges of Each Separate Occurrence
Hook-up/Disconnect: $40.00 each occurrence
New installation — water: $1100.00 minimum charge
New installation — sewer: $1100.00 minimum charge
Special meter readings/Encumbrance Certificate: $40.00 (with 5 business days notice)
Annual sprinkler charge (July): $560.00
Annual hydrant charge (private): $483.00
Emergency/After hours water off/on: $250 per occurrence
Property Assessment Tax Rate
Municipal: $2.6322 per $100 of assessment
Provincial: $1.8561 per $100 of assessment
Other — Cost of Assessment: $.0194 per $100 of assessment
Total: $4.5077 per $100 of assessment
Residential Tenancy Admin. Fee: $.0486 per $100 of assessment
Business Improvement Area Levy: $.2000 per $100 of assessment (additional charge for properties located within the Business Improvement Area).
Residential
Municipal: $1.5484 per $100 of assessment
Provincial: $0.5617 per $100 of assessment
Other: Cost of Assessment: $.0194 per $100 of assessment
Total: $2.1295 per $100 of assessment
Credit: $0.5617
Total: $1.5678 per $100 of assessment
Competitive land costs
Lots are currently available in the Sackville Industrial Park at competitive prices. In addition to the downtown area and the industrial park, the town also has land available for commercial development. Please contact Tantramar for information on price, availability, and suitability.
Phone 506-364-4930
Low cost of living
The monthly cost of owning and maintaining a house in Tantramar is almost 20% lower than in Metro Halifax. The average cost of a home in Tantramar is just $338,000, compared to a national average of $710,000.
Lower labour costs
New Brunswick offers some of the most competitive labour costs in North America, with wages for key roles—such as computer programmers, machinists, and engineers—ranging from 3% to 40% lower than in other regions. Employers also benefit from a 44-hour workweek before overtime kicks in, compared to 40 hours in the U.S., creating significant payroll savings. With a minimum wage of $14.75/hour and a skilled workforce, Tantramar provides an affordable and efficient environment for businesses looking to grow.
A well-connected community
Tantramar’s central location makes it an ideal base for businesses looking to access key markets in Atlantic Canada and beyond. Positioned at the crossroads of the Maritime provinces, nearly all road and rail traffic between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island passes through the region. With major economic hubs just a short drive away—Moncton (25 minutes), Halifax (2 hours), and Saint John (2 hours)—businesses benefit from easy access to a growing customer base and key commercial centres.
For companies involved in distribution and export, Tantramar offers prime access to world-class shipping infrastructure. The global shipping ports of Halifax and Saint John provide direct trade routes, while the Greater Moncton International Airport (GMIA)—just 25 minutes away—is Atlantic Canada’s cargo hub, home to FedEx, Purolator, and other major carriers. The Halifax International Airport, a 90-minute drive, offers extensive cargo facilities and direct flights to key North American business centres, including New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Businesses looking to expand into the U.S. market can take advantage of a direct connection to Interstate-95, the major north-south corridor linking Atlantic Canada to the American Northeast. By land, sea, and air, Tantramar provides the connectivity businesses need to grow and thrive in today’s global economy.
A skilled and dedicated workforce
Tantramar is home to a highly educated, loyal, and motivated workforce. With lower absenteeism and one of the lowest turnover rates in North America, businesses here benefit from employees who are not only skilled but also deeply committed. The presence of Mount Allison University fosters a culture of creativity and innovation, while the nearby Université de Moncton and local colleges contribute to a workforce that stands among the best in the country.
Beyond our core population, businesses have access to a labour pool of 150,000 people within a 30-minute commute. With a growing population and a high workforce participation rate, Tantramar offers the talent and stability businesses need to thrive.
Population: 149,000–168,000
Active labour force: 97,000–117,000
Number of jobs: 90,000–109,000
Workforce participation rate: 5% increase
Unemployment rate: 9%–7.9%
A quality of life that can’t be beat
Tantramar offers the best of both worlds—the safety and serenity of small-town living, combined with the energy and creativity of a thriving community. We offer an unbeatable balance of opportunity, culture, and connection to nature to those choosing our community for work, to raise a family, or simply to enjoy the next chapter of life
Health care—The Collaborative Care Clinic is a new primary care clinic at the Tantramar Primary Health Care Centre. It offers a complete family health team that works collaborative for patient health. It includes a physician, nurses, administrative staff, and a range of other health-care professionals, including a dietitian, pharmacist, social worker, and respiratory therapist.
Education—Home to Mount Allison University, one of Canada’s top undergraduate institutions, Sackville fosters a culture of learning and innovation. From daycare to high school, our education system offers a strong start for young minds, all without the stress of big-city commutes.
Arts and culture—For a small town, we think big when it comes to the arts. Sackville is alive with galleries, live music, theatre, festivals, and a vibrant food scene. Catch a concert, stroll through a local market, or discover public art. There’s always something here to spark your creativity.
Outdoor living—Nature is right at your doorstep. With scenic trails, tranquil parks, and the breathtaking Tantramar Marshes, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of ways to explore, unwind, and recharge. Hike, birdwatch, or simply breathe in the fresh air. Tantramar makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors every day.