This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today, we hear from Jacob Woods of East Coast Industrial in Campbellton.

MY FATHER HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS MY WHOLE LIFE. I HAVE SEEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT WAS NEEDED IN THE FIELD I WAS IN SO I WENT FOR IT. IT WAS A NO-BRAINER FOR ME TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, REALLY.

All my life I saw what it takes to be an entrepreneur and I felt prepared to take on the challenge. Supporting local has been more critical than ever this past year or so. Local support means more sponsorships, more local charity donations, it means much more than just supporting the business. It’s about supporting our community in many, many ways.

In the past year, we have added a full machine shop and upgraded as well as purchased many pieces of equipment to make us more efficient and diverse in our sector. We are also finalizing our industrial and safety supply store, which should be opening in the next few weeks.

From there, who knows what’s next? We’re all excited about the future, that’s for sure. Supporting local businesses has a real impact because you’re not just supporting a business, you’re supporting your community’s future.