Tar Ponds Agency Hires Economic Benefits Co-ordinator

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency has appointed a prominent Sydney marketing specialist as co-ordinator of economic benefits for the cleanup.

Barbara Stead-Coyle will direct the agency's efforts to ensure that Cape Breton workers and companies achieve the maximum economic benefit from the $400-million cleanup.

Ms. Stead-Coyle is currently general manager of the Cape Breton Partnership, where she has overseen the formation of an economic benefits team for the cleanup. She also chaired the airport action committee that successfully negotiated improved Air Canada service to the Sydney Airport. She previously held marketing and communications positions with Techlink International, the Cape Breton Growth Fund, and the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation.

"We are fortunate to have such an outstanding resident of Cape Breton Regional Municipality to spearhead our efforts to ensure that local workers and businesses make the most of the opportunities posed by this project," said Tar Ponds Agency CEO David Darrow.

Ms. Stead-Coyle will oversee the creation of an online registry of Cape Breton businesses -- to make bidders on cleanup contracts aware of local companies and their capabilities -- and a similar registry for local residents interested in working on the cleanup.

She will help the agency implement a procurement policy that encourages contractors to maximize local economic benefits, and will oversee a workforce and business capacity study to help local businesses and potential employees prepare for the project.

"Maximizing local economic benefits from the cleanup requires a co-operative effort by business, individuals, and the Tar Ponds Agency," Ms. Stead-Coyle said. "I’ve worked on the business side of that challenge, and I’m delighted to take on the lead role at the agency in making it happen."

A Truro native who now lives in Coxheath, Ms. Stead-Coyle holds bachelor's and master's degrees from McGill University. She starts work Nov. 1.