This evening I received a phone call from a "company" purporting to be doing a survey on renewable energy in Nova Scotia. The introductory questions were kind of funny and intrusive. The main questions, although ostensibly about renewable energy in Nova Scotia except for one question *were only about the wind farm on Digby Neck". Then the person wanted to know how educated I am and how much money I make.
You can say "no answer" to questions you don't like, you know, so do.
The caller's phone number was blocked. I thought about an answer I made and wanted to change it, but couldn't. Someone should attempt to find out the name of the person or the survey company if there is one. And certainly attempt to find out the use of a person's answers to these questions. And yes, please let me know. Kathleen
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
ADEDA News
Boatloads of Activity
Hard to believe we’re now into September and Fall is fast approaching. It’s been a busy summer for many of our tourism operators and one of the strongest indicators of that increased activity has been the dramatically expanded traffic over the past few months on the Princess of Acadia. The “Princess”, as she is fondly referred to around here, is the hardworking vessel that transports vehicles and passengers across the Bay of Fundy between the port of Saint John, New Brunswick and our port of Digby - Nova Scotia’s foremost Fundy seaport.
There’s been a 25 % increase in passenger traffic over this past season and the operating company, Bay Ferries, has announced that the Princess of Acadia service will accordingly add three extra weekly crossings to handle the demand.
While it’s great to see the service experiencing such success, it’s also led a number of business and community groups who have been advocating for an improved and expanded service to renew their efforts to secure long term commitments. The call is for a new vessel to replace the aging “Princess” and a commitment from all levels of government to pledge support.
The importance of the Fundy ferry service and port infrastructure improvements for Digby were among the points made by ADEDA’s Managing Director Mike Gushue in his presentation to federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea last week. The Minister, who was accompanied by our Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg Kerr, met with a number of community groups during her busy visit to the area.
Tapping New Energy Options
As they have all summer, new energy options seemed to be a big focus of local business interest. On the large stage, Canada’s outgoing Consul for New England said in an interview that the Premiers of Atlantic Canada continue to work hard to explore ways to access the growing American energy demand. He said that while the opportunities were varied and positive, much work still needed to be done.
From the macro to the more micro scale, a local company was hard at work making a case for a unique new renewable energy option. West Nova Agro Commodities of Lawrencetown has been presenting a business model for what might qualify as the ultimate ‘green” energy alternative. Their proposal calls for the use of grass as a viable fuel source.
Not every regional energy option was receiving local support however. The NoRigs 3 Coalition has called on the Nova Scotia government to impose a permanent ban on offshore exploration for oil and gas on Georges Bank. The Coalition is comprised of fishermen, fishing groups, environmentalists and Aboriginal groups and pointed to recent environmental disasters around the globe from offshore drilling as reason for perpetual prudence off our coast. The provincial government recently extended the current ban on Georges Bank exploration to 2015.
Organic Renewal
Just last week the federal government announced an assistance program to help our province’s organic farmers and producers. An indication that such support was warranted was rightfully evidenced in the announced revival of a 110 year old enterprise located here in Annapolis Digby. A team of local entrepreneurs has revitalized the century old Tupperville Fruit Company thanks to the fast growing interest in the local food movement. As an interesting aside, at least to me, Tupperville Fruit was originally part of the United Fruit Company. As an occasional traveller to Latin America, and especially since I’m currently reading the biography of one of my favourite authors, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I come across frequent references to the economic power of the UFC. But didn’t know that its influence extended even into our area. Shame on me.
Planning For Business Succession
While the Tupperville Fruit Company story shows one way that our local enterprises get to live on, business longevity is more often today the result of deliberate planning and structured succession considerations. ADEDA is well aware of that need and is acting accordingly on behalf of local establishments. If that’s a subject that concerns you or your business, there’s a program of interest coming up shortly. More than 40 percent of business owners plan to leave their businesses in the next five years.
To help businesses considering this step the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) in partnership with Acadia University’s Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship will be presenting “Beyond Your Business: Step-by-Step Succession Planning” later this month. This event is also supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The seminar will be held at the ADEDA facilities, 86 Atlantic Avenue in Cornwallis Park, on Friday, September 24 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
There will be a panel of guest speakers who will offer an informative and insightful look at business succession planning. The program will include three webinars, a half day wrap up session and a “Succession Planning Tool Kit”. The fee is $79+HST and includes lunch.
For more information visit www.acsbe.com, or call Helen Abel at 902-585-1655; or helen.abel@acadiau.ca.
Seasonal Swing
As I mentioned earlier, the wonderful summer we have experienced in Annapolis Digby is coming to an end, but, hey, that’s no reason to be glum. Autumn is perhaps the most wondrous season of all here in our area. So celebrate its impending arrival. A great way to begin this weekend is to attend the “Swing Into Autumn” event in Annapolis Royal. The event will feature the Annapolis Big Band and be held on the grounds of Hillsdale House Inn on Sunday, September 12 from 2 – 4 PM. It’s a fundraiser in support of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and the “Species at Risk in Nova Scotia Program”. I’m a big supporter of the Program – and have the licence plate to prove it by the way. Bring your picnic basket, a blanket and non-alcoholic refreshments. (Not to worry though there will be a sangria and beer cash bar). And perhaps even more comforting is the fact that I will NOT be one of the costumed “at risk” animals.
Admission will be a “donation” with proceeds going to the Species at Risk Program.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
Hard to believe we’re now into September and Fall is fast approaching. It’s been a busy summer for many of our tourism operators and one of the strongest indicators of that increased activity has been the dramatically expanded traffic over the past few months on the Princess of Acadia. The “Princess”, as she is fondly referred to around here, is the hardworking vessel that transports vehicles and passengers across the Bay of Fundy between the port of Saint John, New Brunswick and our port of Digby - Nova Scotia’s foremost Fundy seaport.
There’s been a 25 % increase in passenger traffic over this past season and the operating company, Bay Ferries, has announced that the Princess of Acadia service will accordingly add three extra weekly crossings to handle the demand.
While it’s great to see the service experiencing such success, it’s also led a number of business and community groups who have been advocating for an improved and expanded service to renew their efforts to secure long term commitments. The call is for a new vessel to replace the aging “Princess” and a commitment from all levels of government to pledge support.
The importance of the Fundy ferry service and port infrastructure improvements for Digby were among the points made by ADEDA’s Managing Director Mike Gushue in his presentation to federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea last week. The Minister, who was accompanied by our Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg Kerr, met with a number of community groups during her busy visit to the area.
Tapping New Energy Options
As they have all summer, new energy options seemed to be a big focus of local business interest. On the large stage, Canada’s outgoing Consul for New England said in an interview that the Premiers of Atlantic Canada continue to work hard to explore ways to access the growing American energy demand. He said that while the opportunities were varied and positive, much work still needed to be done.
From the macro to the more micro scale, a local company was hard at work making a case for a unique new renewable energy option. West Nova Agro Commodities of Lawrencetown has been presenting a business model for what might qualify as the ultimate ‘green” energy alternative. Their proposal calls for the use of grass as a viable fuel source.
Not every regional energy option was receiving local support however. The NoRigs 3 Coalition has called on the Nova Scotia government to impose a permanent ban on offshore exploration for oil and gas on Georges Bank. The Coalition is comprised of fishermen, fishing groups, environmentalists and Aboriginal groups and pointed to recent environmental disasters around the globe from offshore drilling as reason for perpetual prudence off our coast. The provincial government recently extended the current ban on Georges Bank exploration to 2015.
Organic Renewal
Just last week the federal government announced an assistance program to help our province’s organic farmers and producers. An indication that such support was warranted was rightfully evidenced in the announced revival of a 110 year old enterprise located here in Annapolis Digby. A team of local entrepreneurs has revitalized the century old Tupperville Fruit Company thanks to the fast growing interest in the local food movement. As an interesting aside, at least to me, Tupperville Fruit was originally part of the United Fruit Company. As an occasional traveller to Latin America, and especially since I’m currently reading the biography of one of my favourite authors, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I come across frequent references to the economic power of the UFC. But didn’t know that its influence extended even into our area. Shame on me.
Planning For Business Succession
While the Tupperville Fruit Company story shows one way that our local enterprises get to live on, business longevity is more often today the result of deliberate planning and structured succession considerations. ADEDA is well aware of that need and is acting accordingly on behalf of local establishments. If that’s a subject that concerns you or your business, there’s a program of interest coming up shortly. More than 40 percent of business owners plan to leave their businesses in the next five years.
To help businesses considering this step the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) in partnership with Acadia University’s Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship will be presenting “Beyond Your Business: Step-by-Step Succession Planning” later this month. This event is also supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The seminar will be held at the ADEDA facilities, 86 Atlantic Avenue in Cornwallis Park, on Friday, September 24 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
There will be a panel of guest speakers who will offer an informative and insightful look at business succession planning. The program will include three webinars, a half day wrap up session and a “Succession Planning Tool Kit”. The fee is $79+HST and includes lunch.
For more information visit www.acsbe.com, or call Helen Abel at 902-585-1655; or helen.abel@acadiau.ca.
Seasonal Swing
As I mentioned earlier, the wonderful summer we have experienced in Annapolis Digby is coming to an end, but, hey, that’s no reason to be glum. Autumn is perhaps the most wondrous season of all here in our area. So celebrate its impending arrival. A great way to begin this weekend is to attend the “Swing Into Autumn” event in Annapolis Royal. The event will feature the Annapolis Big Band and be held on the grounds of Hillsdale House Inn on Sunday, September 12 from 2 – 4 PM. It’s a fundraiser in support of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and the “Species at Risk in Nova Scotia Program”. I’m a big supporter of the Program – and have the licence plate to prove it by the way. Bring your picnic basket, a blanket and non-alcoholic refreshments. (Not to worry though there will be a sangria and beer cash bar). And perhaps even more comforting is the fact that I will NOT be one of the costumed “at risk” animals.
Admission will be a “donation” with proceeds going to the Species at Risk Program.
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
Labels:
ADEDA news
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
