Read the latest issue of the Nova Scotia Business Journal

Patrick Melanson

- October 17, 2012 at 15:39:52

I read with great interest Laura MacKenzie's cover story article: RDAs ‘under the microscope’: Are they needed — or have they ever been? She brought up many good and important issues, but completely missed a glorious opportunity to report on the present experiment to create a redesigned organization to replace the RDAs.   The Economic Development Council - South West Nova (EDC-SWN) received its initial mandate from the provincial and federal governments in November 2011. Its assigned task is to develop a business-based, non-funding alternative to the RDA model. This new approach, involving seven of the original members of the now-defunct SWSDA, has each community nominate a recognized business leader to sit on an advisory council. The council, through its two economic development officers, works within the region, aiding and abetting the activities of existing, expanding or potential new businesses. The assistance is given in the form of council approval, advice and encouragement for those enterprises deemed to have real fiscal prospects for the region. It is non-funding and holds no property, thus cannot become mired in some of the issues that have befallen some of the RDAs. Since June, I have had the privilege of being chair of the council. We are slowly making our way through the process of fulfilling the requirements of the government mandate. It is a slow process because we are in part creating the rules as we go. It is exciting in that we have seven distinct communities who are eager to work together to further the cause of our region. It is also encouraging in that it is businesspeople working to support and encourage other businesspeople. Our 14-month experiment ends in March, after which we shall have to wait and see what will become of our labours. I for one am hopeful that the lessons learned in our lovely corner of the world will assist in the formation of any future government or private agencies that may form to replace or augment the present RDA system. The inclusion of our council's story to the article would have been the perfect way to balance the question of the future of the RDA model. Regards, Patrick Melanson Chair, EDC-SWN

Submit a comment