Creating Stronger Economies in Rural Nova Scotia

NOTE: A social media version of this release with hi-res, downloadable photos, video and audio clips will be available later today, Nov. 28, at href="http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2012-11-28-RDA-Report/.

Families living in rural Nova Scotia will benefit as new regional networks work together and sharpen the focus on helping businesses develop and grow.

An expert panel, tasked with finding the best model for supporting economic development, released its report today, Nov. 28. The panel recommends creating six Regional Enterprise Networks (RENs)that will bring together business communities, the province, municipalities and other groups involved in economic development. Regional networks will improve co-ordination and bring planning in line with the province's jobsHere strategy.

"We travelled the province to get input and the passion of Nova Scotians about our economic future was very clear," said panel chair Jo Ann Fewer. "Our recommendations are based on what we learned and heard, balanced with the current economic landscape of Nova Scotia."

The province and Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities will work with municipalities to consider the recommendations and understand how the new REN model can best be implemented.

"Nova Scotians are ready to turn the corner on 20 years of the worst economic growth of any province in the country," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "Small business owners will have the focused support they need to help them create their own destiny. Nova Scotia is on the brink of tremendous opportunity, and this is another way we are getting ready today for the opportunities of tomorrow."

The panel made 25 recommendations for more effective regional economic development, dealing with mandate, core activities, governance, accountability, budget and geography.

In addition to creating RENs, the recommendations include:

• Refine the mission of economic development organizations to guide and navigate regional economic development while providing support to businesses
• Align regions around communities of interests to support the development of priority and emerging sectors
• Focus core activities for RENs to provide regional leadership on economic priorities, develop regional economic plans and provide support to businesses
• Introduce a shared governance model and enhanced governance practices
• Refine performance standards to improve accountability and reporting
• Introduce a new funding model for regional economic development partners

"I want to thank the regional development authority review panel for putting together a comprehensive document that will initiate the move forward to a new economic development model for Nova Scotia, one where municipalities will be equal partners with the province," said deputy warden Jimmy MacAlpine, UNSM past president, and member of the RDA review panel steering committee.

"I also want to recognize the current and former RDA board members and staff who worked hard on behalf of their communities over the last 18 years. The UNSM looks forward to working with municipalities and the province to discuss how we build on the report recommendations to make it work for all parties."

Donald Savoie's 2010 report recommended the province review regional development authorities to ensure they are fully aligned with the province's economic development priorities, and review the appropriate number of RDAs.

The panel members are:

• Jo Ann Fewer (chair), CEO of Perennia Inc.
• Keith MacDonald, executive director, Cape Breton Partnership
• Bob MacEachern, a business owner from the Port Hawkesbury area
• Allister Surette, president of Université Ste. Anne

"I want to thank the panel members for their hard work and those Nova Scotians that came out and provided their thoughts into building a more prosperous future for Nova Scotia families," said Mr. Paris.

The panel consulted with Nova Scotians and about 40 groups for input, and reviewed best practices.

The federal government announced it will stop funding RDAs in May 2013. The federal and provincial governments and municipalities provide about $2.1 million each to fund RDAs, which were introduced in Nova Scotia in 1993.

The report is available at http://gov.ns.ca/econ/publications/.