ADEDA News

Transportation Tidings
Transportation by land, sea and air were all in the news the past week. This is, of course, all good stuff since our transportation infrastructure is a key component of our economic development strategies. There was more news about planned improvements for service at the Digby Annapolis Regional Airport. ADEDA has been working with the Municipality of the District of Digby and its airport working committee on this project with promising results. Digby Municipality Warden Linda Gregory said that plans to supply jet fuel in addition to aviation gas for aircraft, and the installation of an automated weather observation service, were expected to make the airport - Nova Scotia’s highest by the way - an even busier destination.

Meanwhile, consideration was also being given to an expanded bus service into downtown Digby. Discussions were beginning with Kings Transit to establish a series of stops in the downtown area, and maybe even extend the service to the interprovincial ferry terminal. Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland said that he had long wanted to see a route through the downtown.

And speaking of the interprovincial ferry service (gosh how I love the chance for a good editorial segue), the Saint John Telegraph Journal carried a story about a Florida entrepreneur, who summers in Maine, and his proposal to establish a year-round ferry service between Maine and New Brunswick. He also claims that a regular Bay of Fundy service between Eastport, Maine and Digby could make good sense as well.

Another Tidal Energy Announcement
Staying on the Bay of Fundy (another sneaky segue) the major business news last week in our province was the announcement that Nova Scotia's bid to become a North American leader in the development, supply and support of tidal energy projects took another step forward. It focused on the declaration that an international consortium will test one of the world's largest tidal turbines in the Bay's aggressive marine environment.

Atlantis Resources Corporation, a world-leading tidal technology and project development company, was one of five respondents to a request for proposal issued by the province last fall for a fourth berth-holder to participate in its Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) project. Nova Scotia’s Premier Darrell Dexter said" We are working to harness some of the most powerful tides in the world to produce safe, clean, renewable energy for Nova Scotia and through that process develop the expertise, experience and infrastructure to be a resource for tidal energy projects across North America." The company will work in partnership with Lockheed Martin and Irving Shipbuilding.

The Business Briefcase
It’s undeniably tough being a university student these days, with ever rising tuition fees and the scramble to find job related learning opportunities. That’s why it was heartening to note that the provincial government will be doubling the number of co-op education positions it currently funds. The new program is called the strategic co-operative education incentive (It’s a semantic mouthful admittedly – but who cares as long as it’s helping) and combines two existing, separate programs for both the non-profit and private sectors. If your organization is inclined to take on a student for a term placement there’s no better time than now, especially for community organizations and small businesses.

And since the case can be made for small businesses as the real backbone of the economy in our area, there’s a great chance for that business constituency to develop essential skills to maximize the performance efficiency and profitability of their operations. An innovative program is being offered by Saint Mary’s University’s Business Development Centre and workshops begin this month.

Well Deserved Recognition
When friends and family descend to visit with me, especially in the summer, there’s one destination that always seems to be on their agenda. It’s the iconic Flight of Fancy in Bear River, and they always return to rave about both the artisanal offerings and the service. So it came as no surprise – but welcome news nonetheless – that artist Rob Buckland-Nicks, and his enterprise, was honoured recently at the Atlantic Canada Craft Awards of Excellence for Outstanding Retailer. The 14th annual awards were presented in conjunction with the Atlantic Crafts Trade Show (ACTS).

No More “Neige” Saying
OK, I‘ve decided to seriously try and come to grips with the seeming relentlessly falling snow as I stare vacantly out my window. It’s hard for me, but I’ve been somewhat inspired by those in our community who celebrate the season and all it offers. Especially those eager fresh faces I see on television who are gathering for the next couple of weeks in our province to participate in our national Winter Games competition. And I honestly have to salute the enthusiasm of the folks in Middleton who hosted the highly successful provincial Mens’ and Womens’ Masters Curling Championships recently. Not to forget that the Canadian Senior Mens’ and Womens’ curling championships will soon be in our area as well. The Digby Area Recreation Commission and the Digby Curling Club are co-hosting the championships that will see 24 teams competing—with 11 provincial teams and one territorial team in each category, from March 19-26. Organizers are still looking for a few more volunteers. Moving from curling to cuisine (my last segue du jour), you don’t have to be part of the “hurry hard” set to find a reason to visit the Bridgetown Curling Club (333 Granville St.) this weekend, where on Saturday the 19th, cold lobster from Nautical Fisheries, potato salad and cold slaw from King’s Processing and dessert from Graves ValuFoods will be available. You can eat in at the renovated curling club or get takeout. Delivery is available from Bridgetown and area to Annapolis Royal and area. All proceeds will go towards the new geothermal ice plant. Doors open at 6pm and it’s $15 per ticket. For tickets contact Karson Lewis at 532-8537. Oh my, lobster even in winter – maybe there’s hope for me yet.




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