Western Valley Goes For World-Class Title

Is Nova Scotia home to the most Intelligent Community in the world? We'll have to wait until Friday, June 11, to find out.

The Western Valley region of Nova Scotia is one of the world's Top Seven Intelligent Communities for 2003, according to the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a nonprofit think-tank that researches the impact of broadband and information technology (IT) on economic growth at the local level. The ICF top seven provide best-practices models from which communities around the world can learn.

Contenders for the number one spot are: Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom); Spokane, Wash. (USA); Sunderland, England (United Kingdom); Taipei (Taiwan); the State of Victoria (Australia); Western Valley region, N.S. (Canada) and Yokosuka (Japan).

The nomination for the award recognizes achievement by communities in deploying broadband, building a knowledge-based workforce, bridging the digital divide, encouraging innovation and effective economic development marketing.

"On behalf of the province, I congratulate the Western Valley Development Authority team and the people, businesses and seven municipalities of the Western Valley on this significant achievement and wish them the best of luck in New York," said Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage. "This nomination illustrates what we have always known about the inherent capacity of Nova Scotia communities and regions to develop and implement world-class, innovative initiatives that produce significant economic and social benefits."

The Western Valley region has experienced a significant turnaround since the closure of CFB Cornwallis and the collapse of the ground fishery in 1994. Businesses in Cornwallis Park now employ twice the number of people as the base did when it was in operation and the fisheries sector has rebounded to become one of the most lucrative in Canada. Other indicators of confidence in the economy include a 12 per cent growth in average family income and an 81 per cent home ownership rate, 20 per cent higher than the national average. Municipalities have also taken the lead in constructing a community-owned fibreoptic network with the Meteghan to Weymouth connection completed in January and others in the works.

Mr. Fage said the positive turnabout is a tribute to the persistent optimism of businesses and municipal and community leaders, whose work together has contributed to the region being chosen as one of the top seven Intelligent Communities in the world.

"It is a real honour for the communities throughout Digby and Annapolis counties to be selected as one of the top seven regions and it represents quite a unique opportunity for a rural community to be showcased at an international business event in New York City," said Janet Larkman, executive director of the Western Valley Development Authority. "The award nomination recognizes that the people in our communities have accomplished a lot by working together to build a vibrant area that is attractive for business investment and has a very rich quality of life."

The conference and awards event take place in New York today and Friday. Guest speakers include Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and various leaders from around the world. The nominees will be showcased this evening at a reception hosted by the Consul General of Canada, Pamela Wallin, and the winner will be announced at an awards luncheon on Friday.