Akoma Holdings is looking for more donations to put up a new building.

The province announced on Wednesday they would give the group $100, 540 to make it energy efficient.

The group runs the Kinney Place in Cherry Brook, which offers office and shop space to the community.

Property manager Veronica Marsman says African Nova Scotians miss out on a lot of services.

“Having facilities and services on Akoma property assists those communities and the surrounding communities, she said.

Twila Grosse, the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs and the Public Service Commission, has an office in the building, along with some offices for 902 Man Up, and a shop for The Studio Lounge Hair and Esthetics.

Marsman said the building helps people all the way down to Eastern Shore. The cafe in the building is normally standing room only, especially on the weekends, she said, because the community doesn’t have anything else like it in the area.

Halifax city councillor David Hendsbee decided to enjoy some pie at the Opus Cafe in the Akoma Holdings building. Pictured April 9, 2025. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)

The funding from the government is from the Department of Environment and Climate Change. It will go toward things that tackle carbon emissions and energy efficiency related things, according to Dwight Adams, who’s overseeing that part of the build.

He said there are several ways to help make a building more energy efficient, like proper insulation, using the best type of windows, heat pumps and more.

Marsman says they still need more donations to put up the building next door. If they don’t get more people coming, they may need to get a loan from the bank to do it.

“If there’s any great investors out there who are looking to get rid of some money, you can always come this way. We’ll even put your name up on a door,” she said.