Board of Directors Named for Business Inc.

Twelve business leaders from across the province have been approved by the Standing Committee on Human Resources as members of the first board of directors for Nova Scotia Business Inc.(NSBI).

They include: Keith Boulter, southern region; Sheila Brown, central region; Jim Gogan, northern region; Larry LeBlanc, central region; Dan Potter, central region; Alastair MacLeod, Cape Breton region; Maurice Guitton, southern region; John Risley, central region; Tom Rose, central region; James Sapp, southern region; Tom Stanfield, northern region; and Grace White, central region.

Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser today said naming the board represents the next step in the creation of NSBI.

"These individuals represent large and small business, many of our vital sectors, and virtually every region of our province," said Mr. Balser. "It is a strong group of people who will get Nova Scotia Business Inc. off the ground and give the Crown corporation the kind of momentum it needs to pursue growth opportunities for our province."

The mandate of Nova Scotia Business Inc. will be to stimulate economic-development opportunities throughout Nova Scotia. The corporation, led by the private sector, will manage and co-ordinate the province’s front-line business-development functions, including investment attraction, trade development and business lending. The new Crown corporation will take over many of the lines of business currently carried out by the Department of Economic Development.

Plans for Nova Scotia Business Inc. were introduced last fall in Opportunities for Prosperity, the province’s first economic growth strategy in a decade.

All individuals will assume their board responsibilities beginning April 1. Members will serve for terms between two and four years.