Read this. This guy thinks Apple is looking at a multi-billion manufacturing facility in the U.S.

An Apple factory (or two), in the right place, costing several billions would be a worthy endeavor for Apple and its cash. It would achieve the grandest goals for Apple's technical future, make a contribution to the planet and its people's well being and help insure Apple's financial and political security.

Now, of course, every economic developer from Fairbanks to Key West will be on the telephone trying to convince someone, anyone (even the guy at the 1-800 helpline) that their jurisdiction is the right one for this facility.

Even so, NB should take a crack that this - why not? Craft a business case that pumps water from the Bay of Fundy for cooling and wind/tidal for heating. Throw in a pile of free land and work with Maine to build a 21st century rail system right down into the heart of the Boston-NYC corridor. See if the refinery can be used for plastics. Make all NB schools Mac schools. Whatever. Build the case, find someone in the senior management that has fished on the Miramichi or landed at the airport during 9/11. Invite him/her up. Bring in Stephen ahem Harper. Bring in the posse. Convince Apple to put one of these beasts in New Brunswick.

Crazier things have happened.

But not often.

Hey look! A bunch of students protesting the lack of serious economic development in New Brunswick and the lack of economic opportunity for them in their home province! Finally.

Just kidding.

I guess they are protesting cuts to the cultural spending. I guess that is a whole lot more important than the continued out-migration of our youth to the rest of Canada.

One of the little ironies here - and there are so many - is that the vast - vast majority of this cultural spending takes place in Ontario and Quebec. There are a few crumbs thrown down here but government-level spending on culture in New Brunswick is the second lowest in Canada. The feds spend double per capita on culture in Quebec compared to New Brunswick and 58% more in Ontario.

I am sure that Daulton McGuinty appreciates those poor students in front of Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton protesting against those culture funding cuts that will mostly be felt in Ontario but don't expect it to change his attempts to deeply cut the equalization program.

The Miramichi Leader is reporting that FatKat has helped attract another small animation firm to the Miramichi. I still think there is potential to have a nice little animation cluster in the 'Chi. A number of graduates of the animation program at the NBCC up there have gone on to do some neat stuff. Maybe George Donovan, a graduate, could be wooed back there with an expansion some day? I see that a couple of his current guys have worked on VeggieTail which are very popular with my kids.

I think the point is to cast a broad vision here. Fowler might worry that bringing in more firms might inflate wages or lead to raiding of his staff (I don't know this, I never met him) but I think the onus is on the NBCC and maybe even UNB to figure out a path that would lead to a steady stream of talented animators and programmers to feed a serious development strategy.

How about this as a back of the napkin strategic plan?

Goal: 700 animators in the 'Chi by 2015 with an average annual salary of $70k+.
Attract at least 2-3 medium sized (~100 people or so) animation studios from outside.
Foster the growth of the current and new animation studios.
Develop a competitive tax incentive regime (with BC and Nova Scotia forget about trying to compete with Quebec).
Set up a centre of excellence in animation at the NBCC Miramichi and have some interesting research projects.
Look at ways to leverage and support the sector in other segments of government and the local economy.
Try and leverage our bilingual attributes in the process.
Attract a couple of large scale animation conferences to New Brunswick every year.


I am sure that some folks could poke holes in my little strategy here but at least agree with me that it is a better long term approach than flying folks out to Fort McMurray for weeks on end. That may inject money into the local economy but the medium and longer term implications of that long distance work migration will not be positive.

I get this announcement in my email each year and I like to post it here. Just for fun and to force NBT back into the Pepto-Bismol for a day or so. I almost think it's a joke of some kind - 3,200 different government subsidy programs? Interesting to note that there are so many in Quebec that the publisher feels compelled to charge 20 bucks more.

Here it is:

The new Subsidy Directory 2008 is now available, newly revised it is the most complete and affordable reference for anyone looking for financing. It is the perfect tool for new and existing businesses, individuals, foundations and associations.

This Publication contains more than 3200 direct and indirectfinancial subsidies, grants and loans offered by government departments andagencies, foundations, associations and organizations. In this edition allprograms are well described.

Canadian Subsidy Directory (All Canada, federal + provincial + foundations)
CD-Rom (Pdf file)..............................$ 69.95
Printed (430 pages)..........................$149.95
Also available for each province on CD-Rom only...........$ 49.95

Quebec .............................$ 69.95

To obtain a copy please call toll free 1-866-322-3376

Canadian Subsidy Directory 2008
14 Des Seigneurs
Saint-Sauveur
Qc
Canada
J0R 1R0

Today's a big day. I finally make the leap into the Blackberry world. Your responses to the blog will be posted faster, I guess.