Regional Enterprise Network

You may have read the page 8 Editorial in the Kings County Advertiser entitled:

Regional focus the right idea. 
It asks Kings County Council and other valley muncipalities that can participate in the Regional Enterprise Network for our area to "get on board."  I couldn't agree more.  But it is understandable that Chief Administrative Officers and Councillors have had some questions and concerns to address before recommending REN to their respective councils.

What is a REN?
The RENs are potentially a powerful blue print for Economic Development.  They largely focus on the needs of business operators in the private sector.  They differ from the Regional Development Agencies, soon be gone, in that there is no place for Community Economic Development, such as brought the Grand Pre UN World Heritage Site designation to Kings County.

The editorial was a bit heavy regarding the degree to which the towns and counties of Annapolis, Kings and West Hants are "dithering."  The CAOs, Mayors and Wardens have worked hard to create a viable financial framework. For example, it is expected that Kings County alone will need to contribute close to $200,000.

The good news is that by April most, if not all of us, will likely have agreed in principle. Then it should be full speed ahead.

On Friday March 1, I attended the Rural Caucus meeting of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. There it was  abundantly clear that our region's REN has progressed beyond that of any of the others present. Some councils doubt they will become a part of REN --- whereas our hesitation is about having things suitably defined to move smoothly into a formal arrangement.

The local business communities of Annapolis, Kings and West Hants will be well served by the work done to date once, or if, our REN goes forward.  My bet is we will move forward soon.

What will our REN accomplish?  Here's what we have:

1. Several new councillors who are determined to see progress on the economic development agenda --- not only for Kings --- but for the entire region.
2. A REN structure providing a better mechanism for knowledgeable business people to influence outcomes.

Thus the accomplishments for, and through the business communities, located in our region should be many. Once "creativity, partnership and a broader focus" are unleashed through the REN  we will not only "keep the Annapolis Valley a vibrant, viable region" but hopefully do so side-by-side with businesses that will help create smart, stable, sustainable employment.