Building Stronger Communities Part of the Strategy

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Building Stronger Communities Part of the Strategy

Supporting communities and regions as they build stronger local economies is a key aim of Nova Scotia's new economic growth strategy.

"Stronger local economies mean more economic opportunities, particularly for our youth," said Premier John Hamm. "More opportunities allow our children to stay in Nova Scotia and lead productive, challenging lives. That, as far as I'm concerned, is the best measure of success for a government."

The new strategy, titled Opportunities for Prosperity, identifies the expansion of regional capacity as one of seven key directions in support of economic growth. It represents government's commitment to support regions as they take charge of their own futures.

The document, released Oct. 18, lists several issues concerning regional capacity and outlines how government and its partners can address those issues. For example, the provincial government will help regions identify and assess new business development opportunities.

"Our approach to developing the Nova Scotian economy must support the economic aspirations of our people and their communities," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. "We will encourage and reward community initiative. We will also work with other governments, regional development agencies and other community-based groups to support efforts that are based on regional strengths. Government will encourage sound economic activity wherever it can occur."

Two organizations will support initiatives. Set up to replace the Nova Scotia Economic Development department, they will be smaller and efficient.

One organization, Nova Scotia Business Inc., will be a private- sector-led corporation that will manage and co-ordinate front- line business development functions such as attracting investment, encouraging trade, creating the conditions that allow businesses to expand, and lending and financing.

The second, the Nova Scotia Economic Development Agency, will oversee all government economic growth activities, including business climate and changing labour force demands, policy and evaluation, and special projects involving communities in economic transition.

Both organizations will be accountable to government. Although they will have separate mandates, they will work together to support economic development.

"This new structure is the most significant shift in decades in how we support economic development activities," said Mr. Balser. "People from across the province have told us there's a need to take the politics out of economic development. They said confidence can be restored if the some of the important decisions that help to grow our economy are made at arms-length from government. We've listened this new structure is a direct response."

Details of the new structure are being worked out. The target date for the new organizations to be operating is April 1, 2001.

The new structure will provide long-term, consistent support for the thinking and work behind the elements of the strategy.

In addition to regional capacity, the strategic directions identified in Opportunities for Prosperity are: business climate, infrastructure, innovation, labour force, investment, and exports. They will be tools to build the province's economy, particularly in key economic sectors identified in the document.

"In certain areas, government will provide leadership. In other situations, a role as partner will be more appropriate for the provincial government," said Mr. Balser. "We have to work together if we hope to achieve our goal of prosperity for Nova Scotia."

Opportunities for Prosperity reflects the ideas and feedback of hundreds of Nova Scotians. They took part in more than 100 meetings held after a discussion paper was released in April. Others provided input through the government website and mail.

An electronic version of the 35-page document and background material are available on the Internet at www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/strategy/ . Printed copies of the document are available at Access Nova Scotia centres and Business Service Centres throughout Nova Scotia, or can be obtained by phoning Government Publications at 902-424-7580 or 1-800-526-6575.