| By donalee Moulton United we stand. That belief – and the knowledge that by standing together a community prospers together – beats strongly at the heart of the Pictou Regional Development Commission (PRDC). One of the 13 regional development authorities in Nova Scotia, the Commission leads economic development activities in the county. Those activities are diverse -- and rooted in the region’s resources and strengths, says Development Officer Geralyn MacDonald. “Our natural assets – coastal scenery, the port, tourism, boundless entrepreneurial talent and community spirit – are the foundation of many unique, made-in-Pictou-County ways we are growing,” she says. Take one recent example. Locally produced food and products have a reputation for quality and excellence, but there were challenges. How could they be better promoted locally and how could they have a bigger economic impact in the region?. The Town of New Glasgow inititated a meeting with the PRDC and local producers to discuss the idea of a Farmers Market. “Not only would this put the spotlight on local produce, it would help draw people to the region. The whole county would benefit”. Response to the idea was overwhelming. More than one thousand people turned out in the first three hours of the inaugural New Glasgow Riverfront Farmer’s Market. “Most sellers sold out in the first hour,” says MacDonald. Good news spreads quickly. So do good ideas. PRDC is currently leading an initiative, along with three other regional development authorities, to create the first craft-themed trail in Nova Scotia. The project, notes MacDonald, is a key example of how economic development efforts succeed. “We need to identify our strengths – such as a history of fine craft making – and add a dollop of innovation.” Innovation infuses the work of the PRDC. Take, for instance, the Bikeways project. Residents wanted to connect the 24,000 people who live in the urban communities of Pictou County with the 22,500 residents who live in rural areas. Tourism operators also recognized that many visitors who came to the county wanted to explore it with two wheels, not four, beneath them. And Bikeways was born. “We kicked off the initiative with the placement of bike racks in visible locations in all the municipalities,” says MacDonald. “The racks were made by students at the Nova Scotia Community College and made available to the municipal partners free of charge.” Next, “Share the Road” signs were posted throughout the county to encourage motorists and cyclists to enjoy the highways and byways in harmony. Finally, brochures were distributed to every community highlighting the new bike trails and encouraging their use. It’s this kind of collaborative effort that underscores the economic success of the region, says MacDonald, a native of Antigonish. “What I see here is community spirit, community dedication and commitment. People here are so keen and interested in helping their community move forward.” That means tackling tough issues and thinking long term. PRDC is there to help the region do both. One issue Pictou County is grappling with, like most communities in Nova Scotia, is attracting and retaining health care professionals. The Development Commission is working with the Pictou County Health Authority and local medical practices to create recruitment strategies and ensure service delivery is maintained. The knowledge learned here is being shared beyond the health sector. PRDC is now actively working with companies in developing an Employee Retention Strategy Toolkit. “We have to be resourceful,” says MacDonald. “We know that small initiatives can lead to big results. There is a ripple effect.” PRDC also believes firmly in partnerships. It’s a pivotal way for the organization to spread its grassroots efforts. One recent partnership is focused not on terra firma but on Pictou Harbour. PRDC was voted by other small ports in the region to be the representative on the board of directors for the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association. The goal for the small ports: to become cruise ship destinations. “We’re not big enough by ourselves to become a stand-alone stop for many cruise ships. But if we create a five-stop route in the Maritimes, this will attract much more interest and opportunity,” notes MacDonald. Building strength in numbers is central to the way PRDC itself operates. The New Glasgow-based organization has six core staff and usually four to five contract employees working on projects. “We’re busy – and we exceed expectations,” says MacDonald. “We can only do that by partnering and by working closely with the community.” One of the attributes of the community: Balance. “You can make family life a priority,” says MacDonald. “You have neighbours you know. You have pride of place. “We have something here that is very rare.” -30- |
