Cape Breton Municipalities Form Regional Enterprise Network

Municipalities in Cape Breton are working together to help businesses grow by forming Nova Scotia's fourth regional enterprise network.

The municipalities of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria counties signed an inter-municipal agreement today, Oct. 24, in Dundee, Richmond Co., marking the formal establishment of the network.

"This is a positive step forward in the development of a new regional enterprise network for Cape Breton," said Bruce Morrison, warden of Victoria County. "With this new network, we'll work together to create and promote economic development in our four counties, which will result in benefits for all of Cape Breton Island.

"With this agreement in place, we'll now start the work of creating the new organization."

A partnership between government and municipalities, the network will develop a regional approach to economic development by creating an economic strategy, co-ordinating efforts, and focusing on helping businesses in the region grow.

"This is an important milestone in setting up a regional enterprise network for Cape Breton," said Michel Samson, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "By working together, communities in the region will be able to build a stronger regional economy and help local businesses grow.

"I want to congratulate the municipalities for their leadership and commitment to a collaborative approach to economic development in Cape Breton."

An inter-municipal agreement gives each partner rights and authority, and outlines the governance for the network.

More information on regional enterprise networks is available at http://novascotia.ca/econ/ren/ .