Anyone over 35 will get the reference in the title. Anyone under 35, google it. I heard the most wonderful story on Wednesday. I was talking with one of the original rainmakers that engineered Moncton’s transformation back in the late…
Continue ReadingTo Plaster Rock or Moncton? I report, you decide
I came across this poll last week. It was done last fall and published in Canadian Business magazine. The survey was entitled When Local Governments Compete for Business: Excellent Workforces Are Very Appealing, But Not Good Schools or Entertainment. The…
Continue ReadingEntertainment software industry
I posted a blog a few days ago about the animation/software industry and how NB is not competitive with its tax incentive regime. Quebec and BC have been the most aggressive in this area. The following chart is taken from…
Continue ReadingYou want to know why Northern New Brunswick is lagging behind?
Read this. It’s an editorial in the Miramichi Leader. Route 11 is a feeder into the greater Moncton area. It is a way not only for goods to get from other parts of the country to that area, but a…
Continue ReadingIntelligent thinking
I just got back from a session on the Intelligent Communities Forum. The founder, Robert Bell, gave a little talk and made some very good points. He said the only real objective of a city must be to provide a…
Continue ReadingNorthern NB needs new model
I hope that the TJ is wrong in its characterization of the new Northern New Brunswick economic development fund. The new fund will replace three existing funds – the Restigouche-Chaleur Economic Development Fund, the Acadian Peninsula Economic Development Fund and…
Continue ReadingCanada to open six new trade offices in China
I see that Canada is opening up six new trade offices in China. I guess if you are from New Brunswick (and the Maritimes) you could see this one of two ways. If you are a pessimist you will wonder…
Continue ReadingTechnology-based economic development
Think of this as PropelICT on a massive amount of steroids. Or better yet, PropelICT, the NBIF and the folks doing ICT development at BNB all rolled into one. Maybe something like NSBI but just for the technology-based industries. The…
Continue ReadingMusing on wages
One of the most complicated issues in economic development – believe it or not – is the issue of wage rates. Specifically, I am talking about the effort to try and foster business investment at a relatively high wage rate. …
Continue ReadingThe swarm of workers is coming – watch out
Everyone has Maclean’s disease these days – I guess that should make Andrew Coyne happy. The Globe & Mail has a story this morning entitled “Job Seekers Swarming to Atlantic Canada” even as it reports there is still a net out-flow…
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