NewsMakers

[POINT TUPPER, NS] Municipal politicians give proposed biomass facility “thumbs-up”: Municipal leaders in the Strait area are endorsing a proposed biomass-fuelled generating facility at the NewPage Point Tupper paper mill. The Strait area mayors and wardens announced Wednesday their support of the use of biomass as a renewable energy source to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support jobs and increase renewable energy. They also support the recommendations of a recent report by David Wheeler of Dalhousie University which outlined regulatory and governance reforms aimed at helping the province meet renewable energy targets. NewPage has proposed installing a steam turbine at its Point Tupper site, with the electricity generated sold to Nova Scotia Power. It would generate about 60 megawatts of electricity a year, representing about three per cent of the NSP’s generation, or enough energy to power about 50,000 homes. “We believe it’s a good project — good in terms of its environmental impact,” Richmond Warden John Boudreau said in a phone interview. “Biomass is widely recognized across Europe as a good method of creating energy while getting away from fossil fuels and having, at least, not a negative impact on carbon emissions, if not a positive one.” — By Nancy King, The Cape Breton Post, Transcontinental Media

[HALIFAX, NS] Halifax Stanfield harnesses power of social media: Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) has announced it will now provide timely airport updates through two popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter. Fans and followers will be among the first to receive important travel information, weather updates, details about special airport events, service announcements, promotions and more. “We appreciate that every day, more and more people depend on information received on their mobile devices,” says Tom Ruth, HIAA president and CEO. “We’re inviting everyone to become members of our online community to receive the most up-to-date airport information.” In addition to receiving informational “tweets” and Facebook updates, members of both social networking sites can participate in the online conversation. They will have opportunity to share airport experiences along with photos and videos. You can become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Halifax-NS/Halifax-Stanfield-International-Airport/324692666244 . Follow HSIA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hfxstanfield . — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[ANTIGONISH, NS] StFX student named entrepreneur regional champion: Jeremy Flynn, owner of Flynnweb and full time student at St. Francis Xavier University, has been named the 2010 Student Entrepreneur Regional Champion by national charitable organization, Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE). As a regional champion, Jeremy will receive a $1,000 cash prize and move on to the final round of competition at the 2010 ACE National Exposition in Calgary on May 12, 2010. The national champion will receive a $10,000 cash prize and represent Canada at the international level of competition, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. “I was awed by all the competitors and am truly honoured to have been chosen to represent Atlantic Canada at this year’s national competition,” says Flynn. “I hope to continue to impress and embrace these unique opportunities for both myself and my business.” Flynnweb is a web and graphic design and development firm, specializing in building brands and affordable marketing material for small business owners. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[HALIFAX, NS] Etruscan announces closing of private placement: Etruscan Resources Inc. announced today that it has closed its private placement equity offering of 28,378,378 common shares of the company at a price of $0.37 per common share for gross proceeds of approximately $10.5 million. The common shares were sold by Raymond James Ltd. as sole agent on a best efforts basis. Endeavour Financial purchased 15,608,108 common shares under the offering which maintains Endeavour’s 55 per cent ownership in the company. The net proceeds of the offering will be used to initiate and advance exploration programs on the company’s properties in West Africa and for general corporate purposes. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[EDMUNDSTON, NB] Human rights, pay equity forum on the agenda: A public forum on human rights and pay equity will be held by the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission on Monday, March 15, in Edmundston. The forum will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Madawaska Historical Museum, 165 Hébert Blvd. “With the passage of the Pay Equity Act for Part 1 of the public service, this forum will be a great opportunity to deepen our understanding of the human rights roots of pay equity and the challenges that pay equity presents to us,” said Gordon L. Porter, commission chair. Three expert panelists have been confirmed so far: Norma Dubé, assistant deputy minister for the Women’s Issues Branch in the Executive Council Office; Anne Hébert, a lawyer and businesswoman, and executive director of the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick; Johanne Perron, executive director of the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity. A discussion period will follow the panel presentations. — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] Brackley Beach North Winds recognized for innovation: Murray MacPherson, owner of Brackley Beach North Winds Inns and Suites, situated on the Island’s north shore, was recently named this year’s P.E.I. recipient of the sixth-annual Tourism Atlantic Technology Award. MacPherson was recognized for using technology to attract and enhance the travel experiences of his visitors by adding an online reservation system to his website. The award was presented last night at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel as part of “Taste of 2010,” the annual convention and trade show for the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI). “The Government of Canada, through ACOA, supports the important role tourism plays in the Atlantic Canadian economy,” says Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway. “This event allows us to recognize tourism operators for their efforts in using technology to advance the industry which, in turn, advances the entire region.” — By Staff, The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[CHARLOTTETOWN, PE] Top tourism award honours late Albert J. Dow: The late Albert J. Dow, who started the Island’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf lobster suppers, was posthumously given a top tourism award on Wednesday in Charlottetown. The annual Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. award dinner was held at the Delta Prince Edward. The association gave Dow the Lieutenant-Governor’s Tourism Award. He died at the age of 77 in January 2008. His family continues the tourism businesses he founded through the late 1970s to the present. “He was very instrumental in tourism,” said the association. “The family started off with a corner store, then branched out to open the Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Supper in North Rustico.” Later the family expanded to open the Friendly Fisherman restaurant in Cavendish, the Cavendish Shopping Centre, and the Rustico Bay Wool Sweater Company. “(The family) is a pioneer of tourism,” said the association. —By Nigel Armstrong, The Guardian, Transcontinental Media

[CORNER BROOK, NL] Business community doesn’t support raise for council, says CFIB: The Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ director of provincial affairs says that organization’s members in Corner Brook do not support increased city council remuneration. In light of the current debate over whether or not council should vote itself a raise, as has been recommended by a consultant which reviewed council remuneration levels, Bradley George decided to have a look at a survey done around the time this same issue was being debated in St. John’s four years ago and to also solicit more recent feedback from members in Corner Brook. As is the case in Corner Brook, St. John’s city council brought up the idea of increasing financial compensation not long after the municipal election in 2005. Citizens, including the business community had little appetite for increases and the CFIB’s recommendation was that a plebiscite be held so the people could decide. George said the same thing seems to be unfolding in Corner Brook, where the idea of a referendum on this particular issue has also been suggested by some of council’s critics. As for the local business community, George said there does not seem to be much support since Corner Brook has some of the highest business property taxes in the province and many small businesses are still struggling to emerge from the economic recession. — By Gary Kean, The Western Star, Transcontinental Media