ADEDA News

Ferry Funding
There was finally some good news last week with regard to the continuance of ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick.

The Government of Canada announced an investment funding program that would support specific ferry services in Atlantic Canada for a three year period to March 31, 2014.
Among the services to receive that support was our vital Fundy service.

The decision by the federal government was welcomed by the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition’s Chair Jim Thurber who said “This is a very encouraging decision that will allow us the time we need to make the business case, garner the support and pursue our ultimate goals of a longer term commitment and the new vessel this service needs”.

The Coalition is comprised of businesses and organizations representing fisheries, trucking, tourism, economic development, local government, boards of trade and environmental stewardship located in southwest Nova Scotia, and has been pushing hard for a long term commitment for the ferry service.

The Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) has been the coordinating organization for the Coalition since its inception and ADEDA Managing Director Mike Gushue expressed his appreciation for the government’s decision, saying “This shows what can be achieved when everyone in the community works diligently and responsibly towards a common purpose”. He also cited the strong support given at all levels by the area’s Member of Parliament, Greg Kerr. Commendably, Kerr moved quickly to meet with business and public representatives – and then with the Coalition – over the weekend to provide further background on the announcement and discuss the community’s “go forward” strategy. (And a “shout out” of appreciation to Bay Ferries’ Mike Adams for helping to make the facilities at the ferry terminal available and so pleasant for the meeting).

The Coalition has particularly emphasized the importance of the Digby to Saint John service to our region’s $600 million annual seafood industry.

Across the Bay the federal funding decision was also being hailed by supporters in Saint John, led by Mayor Ivan Court who has maintained that “The ferry system is part of the transportation system of Canada” and adding “it should be considered in the road system, the bridge system whatever else”.

Switched On
In his 1963 classic “Blowin’ In The Wind” iconic folkie Bob Dylan ambiguously suggests the answers to some of life’s key issues might be obviously in front of our respective noses, or as ephemeral as the wind.

Well, there’s nothing ambiguous about the effects of the breezes blowing through Nova Scotia Power’s Digby Neck wind farm. It’s now open with 10 of the 20 turbines in operation. I had a chance to tour the facility last week with NSP’s genial and very knowledgeable Project Manager, Sean Brennan, and was honestly impressed with the scope of the project – and the environmental as well as operational foresight that went into its planning. NSP also hosted a public open house at the site over the weekend to allow the community to see firsthand what’s taking place.

Riding The Renewable Energy Wave
The opening of that 30 megawatt wind farm on Digby Neck was just part of the renewable energy news that continues to focus on our area and the Fundy region in general. The provincial Energy Department has announced that it had received five responses to a call for expression of interest looking for a fourth tidal power developer in the Bay of Fundy. The bids came from companies in Canada, the United States and the UK.

The Sports Page
And, hey, we’re not all transportation analysts or renewable energy wonks around here. We like our recreational opportunities as well. And a national near miss and a national sure thing highlighted Annapolis Digby doings from the world of sports this past week. In their new book “Lawrencetown is ‘Our Hockeyville’”, veteran authors Dave and Paulette Whitman document the charming story of how a long shot community from the Annapolis Valley came “this close” to earning the title of Canada’s “Hockeyville” for this year. If there’s a wonderful holiday read to be had – it’s here – and by the way the Whitman’s will be at the Lawrencetown fire hall this weekend, December 11th, to sign copies of the book. Meanwhile at the other end of our coverage area, the folks in Digby are getting ready to host the event that didn’t get away. In a few months teams from across Canada will be “hurrying hard” to the Digby Curling Club for the national mens and womens senior championships. The event is already causing excitement within the local curling communities – and with sports buffs in general. But volunteers are still needed to help make it the success we all want. There’s more information available and a number to call if you want to be part of this national bonspiel.

Ah Shucks!
I know I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions my admiration for the hard work ethic exhibited daily by my doughty small band of coworkers here at ADEDA. However, if they have a failing perhaps it’s their intrinsic modesty in the performance of their tasks – something not shared, of course, by “moi”. That’s why I think it’s great when their work gets recognized by the local business community.

Playing with a Full House
They may have to consider replacing the winter storm doors with revolving doors at the ADEDA office on December 16th when we host two major workshops at our facilities. There’re two wonderful opportunities to develop your business communications acumen for artists and crafters at the ACTS workshop; and hone yourself in the craft of business writing at the business writing basics workshop. Hmmmm…probably should consider enrolling in that one myself.

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

We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby