Mayors' Breakfast Touches on Amalgamation and More
Mayor Bill Mills makes a point as a sell-out crowd of business operators take turns asking questions at the Mayors' Breakfast on April 16th, sponsored by CIBC-Wood Gundy and Bell Aliant. Questions focused on everything from the dollars and cents of amalgamating the three jurisdictions to how local residents welcome immigrants. The event was organized by the Chamber. In the photo are Mayors Mills, Wendy Robinson of Stewiacke and Bob Taylor of Colchester. (L-R) Full Story is below.
TRURO - The Mayors of Colchester, Truro and Stewiacke gave their opinions and explanations on everything from the demise of Nova Scotia’s RDAs (Regional Development Agencies) to amalgamating their three councils into one as they sat down in front of a Chamber of Commerce audience today.
Questions from the audience dealt with the RECC Centre, taxes, economic development, immigration and a host of other topics in front of a sold-out crowd at the Best Western Glengarry.
On the topic of boosting immigration from immigrants who create jobs for this part of the province, Stewiacke Mayor Wendy Robinson summed it up.
“We’re friendly to people in the bank – we say hi and ask folks how they’re doing,” she says. “But how often do we invite immigrant families over for Christmas Dinner?”
Colchester Mayor Bob Taylor surprised many in the audience when he said he’d be willing to look at some of the aspects of regional amalgamation. But he said services would be the place where savings could be made, and not necessarily by reducing the number of municipal councillors at the table.
Truro’s Bill Mills said if Truro were to amalgamate with Bible Hill, the tax base would increase by 50 per cent, but service costs would go up by 100 per cent. Mills did not quote any similar studies about what might happen if Truro were to merge with Colchester County. Stewiacke Mayor Wendy Robinson told Chamber members her council would likely be mandated to decrease from six town councillors down to just four later this year, adding she sees more local control over issues by staying away from amalgamation for now.
As for the salaries of those who run for election, Robinson said it’s generally less than 4 per cent of total spending in the Town of Stewiacke. In a separate question, all three indicated they might be willing to run for re-election.
Other topics covered by the three mayors included the state of roads, the proposed new Hilden overpass that would divert traffic into the Truro Business Park, and the hiring of separate economic development officers for each jurisdiction. Millbrook’s Economic Development officer Terry French spoke briefly on behalf of Millbrook Chief Bob Gloade, who was absent due to a family emergency.
Mr. French urged those in attendance to look at the video on Millbrook’s website showing the reserve’s economic progress. millbrookfirstnation.net
The Chamber would like to thank the mayors, its board of volunteers and sponsors CIBC, CIBC-Wood Gundy and Bell Aliant for helping to make the Mayors’ Breakfast happen.
Local Business Partnership and Innovation
Simply For Life's "Grocery Store Tour" Gives Nutritional Insight to Clients
Sobey's Robie Street Professional Dietitian Jennifer Ferguson (left) explains the do's and don'ts of
shopping for the healthiest foods to Simply for Life clients. The Grocery Store Tour in March was
organized by Amy and Jason at Simply for Life on Prince Street, and gave would-be shoppers an insider's look at how to scrutinize nutritional labelling for everything from fibre, salt and fat content to calories and vitamins. Special thanks to Jennifer for a job well-done and to Simply for Life / Truro. It was a very educational evening.
New Board Takes Oath
Board members took their oath of office at the Chamber's March, 2014 AGM. The event was held at Saltscapes Restaurant in the Truro Power Centre, with the swearing in being done by Chamber solicitor Elisabeth Sieber. Pictured (standing for the oath of office) in the photo above are from left, Kim Langille of Healthy Habit Health Food, Andrew Lake of Will-Kare Paving, David Alan Miller of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Alex Stevenson of T-D Bank, Matthew Robblee of Caldwell-Roach Insurance, Don Locke of RBC and Jackie Johnston of Truro Mall. Thanks to all who attended and a special thanks to guest speaker Carl Sparkes of Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd. The event was sponsored by our friends and strong community event supporters at RBC Truro. Special thanks to RBC's Bruce Young as well, for his speaking skills and the generous donation of his time and energy for this important event.
Jost Owner Sparkes A Hit at AGM
Carl Sparkes, owner of Devonian Coast Wineries, which is the parent company of Nova Scotia's most established vineyard, known as Jost Vineyards, easily held the attention of his business audience at the Truro & Colchester Chamber's AGM Luncheon at the Truro Power Centre in March. Sparkes talked of his experience among Canada's business elite, and said too often in the boardrooms of the nation, he hears how Nova Scotians undersell themselves on the national and international stage. Sparkes told the crowd they live and do business in a place that is the envy of the world, and they need to step up to the business opportunities that present themselves in the coming years.
The Chamber's new board for 2014-15 was also sworn in at the event. For more, visit this link. http://trurocolchesterchamber.com/list-of-officers
Stewiacke Business Expo a Major Hit
A large crowd of about 200 people turned out for the Chamber's
Stewiacke Business & Lifestyles Expo in late-February.
More than 35 businesses registered, and as you can see at the bottom photo below,
the Stewiacke Shotokan Karate Club put on an excellent demonstration.
Special thanks to Stewiacke Foodland, Stewiacke Home Hardware, Stewiacke KFC, Pro Travel Network, Nelson House Bed and Breakfast and Focus Yoga and Massage for the prize donations. Accolades are also due for Mayor Wendy Robinson and Heather Hamilton of Breakwater Training and Business Solutions. See photos below.
Chamber Reacts to Ivany Report
Chamber Applauds Commission’s Report on Province’s Economic Future
Feb 12, 2014
The President of the Truro + Colchester Chamber of Commerce sees some good possibilities emerging from the final report created by the provincial Commission on the New Economy.
Stephanie Jones says her 450 business members can take heart in suggestions from the report that this province move to triple immigration levels over the next 10 years.
“We know that immigration brings new ideas and a new vibrancy to the economy, “ says Jones. “Regions of this country with the highest immigration are the economic powerhouses of Canada, and we need to get in on that success by working with Ottawa to increase immigration. Our rapidly-aging population trends can be reversed by increasing the birth rate and bringing in young, entrepreneurial immigrants.”
Jones also likes New Economy Commission Chair Ray Ivany’s suggestions that Nova Scotians are too suspicious of successful entrepreneurs, and that our culture looks unrealistically to governments for all the answers.
Ivany’s remarks to municipal leaders that they need to stop competing with each other in order to lure in businesses from other jurisdictions to “grow the economic pie” in their own back yards also resonates with the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce.
Jones says she agrees with Mr. Ivany that Nova Scotia municipal leaders are “world caliber” at fighting to bring in an “economic win,” instead of celebrating when a new business sets up in any Nova Scotia jurisdiction.
“I would advise our municipal leaders to pay close attention to the increased role for business that Mr. Ivany’s commission is recommending,” says Jones. “The old ways of doing things are going to have to change if Nova Scotia’s 10-year plan is going to succeed. The suggestions in this report that we work to double Research and Development and increase exports by 50 per cent have to come ahead of paltry political battles.”
Jones also likes the report’s suggestion that we enshrine its goals in legislation so that future governments can’t let provincial partisan politics get in the way of Nova Scotia’s progress.
Terms and Conditions
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This ends “Terms of Use” posting.
Commercial Space
Commercial Properties for rent, lease or sale in Colchester Region
To request your commercial property for sale, lease or rent be added to this section of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce, click here to fill out the COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING form. Completed forms should be emailed to [email protected] . There is no cost to submit a listing.
The Chamber is not responsible for any errors appearing in submitted COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING forms posted to its site. The Chamber reserves the right to with hold posting COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING forms or to remove any posts at any time without notice. Submissions will be posted until December 31, 2016 unless otherwise requested to be removed. For more information email [email protected].
Commercial Property Resources
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce realtors, developers and other members in good standing, are welcome to provide their website to the Chamber to be posted on its Commercial Property page at no cost.
Realtors
There are a number of Commercial Real Estate Agents operating locally that can help you identify commercial property in Truro and Colchester region. Please use the links below to access Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce realtor websites.
RYCO HOLDINGS LTD.
COLDWELL BANKER OPEN DOOR REALTY
ROYAL LEPAGE TRURO REAL ESTATE
TRURO MALL -STRATHALLEN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC
Development Agencies
Developers
RYCO HOLDINGS LTD.
MILLBROOK - TRURO POWER CENTRE
TRURO CENTRE LTD.
BRENTWOOD DEVELOPMENT LTD.- The Hub Centre
Parking Lot Space
Boardroom Rentals
Event, Classroom or Workshop space
Michaud Resigns, Hay + Jones Take Over Shared Presidency
Past Chamber President Returns to Helm
at Truro + Colchester Chamber of Commerce
August 14, 2013
TRURO - It’s back to the future at the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce. President Mike Michaud is resigning as President of the 440-member organization to pursue a career offer in the U-S. As a result, Past President Don Hay is coming back to the President’s Chair for the rest of this calendar year.
In an agreement that’s been several weeks in the making, Vice President and McDonald’s Restaurants owner Stephanie Jones will take over as next year’s Chamber President 3 months earlier than usual, to facilitate the departure of Michaud for the U-S.
“I want to thank the local business community and our community leaders for the opportunities I’ve been given over the past few years as a Chamber Executive volunteer,” says Michaud. But unfortunately, my career comes first, and I will be taking a job offer in Maine later this month.”
Don Hay takes over as Chamber President effective this week, and as mentioned earlier, Jones will take over as President of the Chamber on January 1st.
“I know Mike Michaud will do well with his sales and marketing career in Maine,” says Hay. “He served on the Chamber Executive with me for several years and we will miss his presence at the boardroom table. “
Jones sees no major hiccups for the business community under this new arrangement, noting that Don Hay is a seasoned and respected member of the business community, and both she and Hay have worked closely together at the Chamber Executive levels over the past couple of years.
“I’m happy for Mike and his new career, and I know this Chamber will continue to grow and serve our business members and the non-profit community who continually show their support for what we’ve been able to accomplish,” says Jones. “Change is never easy, but it’s a challenge that give us renewed vigour to take on the challenges that may lie ahead.”
Task Force on Economic Development
Chamber to Spearhead Economic Task Force for Central Nova Scotia
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has agreed to spearhead a task force aimed at revamping or replacing the Colchester Regional Development Agency. (CoRDA)
At a meeting of business and political leaders this morning, a consensus was formed to:
- work together for cooperation and continuity in economic development across Colchester, Truro, Millbrook and Stewiacke
- build upon existing infrastructure, possibly examining the re-making of CoRDA’s services into an agency for the future
- issue a call for a joint meeting of the Towns of Truro and Stewiacke as well as Colchester County to come together and build a real consensus with the help of a Chamber-led task force of business and community leaders
- investigate the best way to access provincial money that’s been set aside to help the process
- hold an economic summit in September to make it all happen, before access to provincial money is no longer available
Chamber President Mike Michaud is pleased with the crowd of established business people and younger entrepreneurs who took part in the two-hour Town Hall-style meeting at the Dal-AC Campus this morning. There was also a good showing of local and provincial political leaders.
Michaud says one notable absence was Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor, but he’s hoping that absence can be changed in the days ahead.
“It’s kind of shocking that Bob Taylor chose not to participate in such an important event,” says Michaud. “However, there were several Colchester County Councillors on hand today, who I’m sure will carry the message to Colchester’s Mayor that we’d like to work with him. “
Michaud is concerned that a provincial election call this fall could wipe out any promised money to help build upon the economic success that CoRDA and others have achieved over the past two decades for this region.
Michaud says the clock is ticking, and it’s time all political and business leaders got in the game.
“The time for finger-pointing and territorialism is over. A region with all the advantages that Colchester County, its towns and Millbrook has to offer shows we need to come together to take advantage of the growth that lies ahead,” he says. “With only 52,000 people, we’re not large enough to continually divide ourselves and miss out on provincial money that’s designated to help us.” (Regional Enterprise Network funding ear-marked this year by the Province of Nova Scotia)
The Task force of business and community leaders expects to hold its first meeting next week, to begin planning for a multi-municipal business summit in September.