CREDA File

Welcome to the CREDA File, a monthly column on economic development issues and activities in Cumberland County from the files of the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association - published monthly in the Citizen newspaper.

January, 2008

 

Cumberland County residents took full advantage of the opportunity to provide input on Nova Scotia’s proposed energy and greenhouse-gas reduction policies. A good cross section of more than 20 people attended the Nova Scotia Department of Energy’s public workshop and consultation session on Monday, December 17th at the Wandlyn Inn. CREDA would like to publicly thank those who participated. The Department of Energy staff and facilitator, Bob Fournier, were very pleased with the turn out, the balanced representation and the feedback related to the pending Provincial Energy Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan. If you did not pick up a copy of either document they are both available online at www.gov.ns.ca/energy/energystrategy.

The deadline for written submissions to the Provincial Energy Strategy has been extended to January 11, 2008. You can make your submissions electronically to either energystrategy@gov.ns.ca (for the Energy Strategy), or climatechangeaction@gov.ns.ca (for the Climate Change Action Plan). Submissions can also be mailed to: Nova Scotia Department of Energy, Energy Strategy/Climate Change Action Plan, 400-5151 George Street, PO Box 2664, Halifax, NS B3J 3P7. To ensure your submission is read please include your name, position and all contact information.

The information gathered through public consultation and written submission will be used to help create the Energy Strategy and the Climate Action Plan, with release dates scheduled for spring 2008. Both plans will share the same goal -- to meet the 2020 deadline for cutting our greenhouse-gas emissions to 10 per cent below 1990 levels, while continuing to see Nova Scotia's economy grow.

CREDA, CBDC Cumberland, the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Nova Scotia Department of Education are partnering to provide free training opportunities for owners, managers or employees of small business in Cumberland County. Starting in late January, two programs will be offered focusing on essential communication skills and small business computer skills. Enhance your business communication and computer skills and work more effectively with customers and co-workers by enrolling in one or both free programs being offered.

Enrolment is limited to 12 participants and is on a first come, first serve basis. The Communication Skills program is scheduled for Friday mornings beginning January 25th. The Basic Computer Skills training is scheduled for Thursday evenings beginning January 31st.
For more information or to register by the January 15th deadline, please contact CBDC at 667-5700 or CREDA at 667-3638.

The Nova Scotia government has selected Seaside Communications as the private sector company to provide high speed internet services to the un-served rural areas of Cumberland County. The government’s broadband initiative will ensure that by the end of 2009, every Nova Scotian will have broadband access. In many cases, that broadband access will be achieved through wireless connectivity.

The Cape Breton based company already has a current customer base in Cumberland County having completed the successful pilot project in the Tidnish to Port Howe area in 2007. CREDA is encouraging Cumberland County businesses and residents in areas without high speed internet services to contact Seaside Communications for further information and to register your interest in the service.

For Seaside customer and rural inquiries, please call: Joanne Oldford toll free at 1-877-842-1177, ext. 319 or e-mail- joanneo@seaside.ns.ca, or visit www.seasidewireless.com. You can also fill out a contact form at http://www.seasidewireless.com/contact.html.

If you have any questions or want further information regarding CREDA call 667-3638. CREDA is Quality System registered to ISO 9001:2000.