CBRM News

Three municipalities ready to form Regional Enterprise Network

June 24, 2013

ARICHAT, RICHMOND CO., NS - Three Cape Breton municipalities will move forward, together, to establish a Regional Enterprise Network. The Municipality of the County of Richmond, the Municipality of the County of Victoria and Cape Breton Regional Municipality are writing to the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal relations to inform him of their decision.

At a council meeting in Richmond County tonight, council voted to join Victoria County and CBRM in establishing a Regional Enterprise Network.

 

Regional Enterprise Networks are the successor to the Regional Development Authorities. The provincial government is replacing Nova Scotia's 12 RDAs with 6 RENs as recommended in a report by a panel tasked with reviewing regional development authorities.

"It's important to have an experienced team with a strong track record supporting our economic development initiatives," said Richmond's Warden Steve Sampson. "We are expecting that moving to the REN structure is a move to the strongest economic development support we've had as a municipality."

Victoria County council voted to join the REN in late March.

"We see benefit for Victoria County from an economic development point of view, allowing us to access programs and funding that we might otherwise not have," said Bruce Morrison, Warden of Victoria County. "Economic development is our top priority and we see the Regional Enterprise Network as strengthening our efforts on that front."

Mayor Cecil Clarke of CBRM says economic development is the most urgent priority facing Cape Breton Island and is pleased that the new Regional Enterprise Network will be engaged in focused activities to support the economic development efforts of local government.

"It is our goal to become the most business and development-friendly municipality in Atlantic Canada," said Clarke. "The work of the former RDAs, and new RENs, is important in creating an open-for-business climate."

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