Have you ever been ‘prequalified’ for a loan? This issue of prequalification is starting to be all the rage in economic development. For several years now, U.S. states have been developing ‘megasites’ in advance of any specific project (I recently…
Continue ReadingThe front end of a mega trend
If you look at economic development in 20 or even 50 year chunk, there are some megatrends that influence the success or failure of a community, province/state or country. One of these trends relates to transportation. 100+ years ago, Parrsboro,…
Continue ReadingOn Pensions and Tanker
I was talking to an ex-MLA the other day and he expressed bewilderment with the fact that occassionally some irate constituent would call up and say that the MLA was only ‘in it for the pension’ or something to that…
Continue ReadingNew Brunswick – Apocolypse Now? When?
I have to admit since I started writing my blog in 2004, I am starting to see the themes that I have been promoting starting to get more prominence in the media in New Brunswick. I stake no claim to…
Continue ReadingAl Hogan up to his old tricks
Leave it to Al Hogan over at the Times & Transcript to provide us with a nuanced and thoughtful account of the Tanker Malley defection. Today he runs a front page story about Tories being asked to sit as independents…
Continue ReadingAnother sign of prosperity in New Brunswick
According to CIBC World Markets, when it comes to going broke, it’s all about location. The number of people in Atlantic Canada who filed for personal bankruptcy in 2005 climbed 8 per cent from the previous year, while bankruptcies in…
Continue ReadingGood night, and good luck
I just got back from watching that film about Edward R. Morrow, Good Night, and Good Luck. While this is no action thriller, it is an interesting film. It’s shot in black and white and weaves in actual footage in…
Continue ReadingAirports bringeth and they taketh away
For as long as I have been involved with economic development I have been a fervent believer in the critical importance of airports as facilitators of economic development. The more flights to diverse destinations at competitive prices the better. Once,…
Continue ReadingThe fun begins
Somebody from the Miramichi told me “never mess with Tanker”. In fact, the rumours were swirling during the hospital cuts that he would leave the Tory ranks. He didn’t then, but he does now. There is starting to be a…
Continue ReadingLast one to Bangalore is a ……..
I have been saying for several years that New Brunswick needs to build better linkages to India. Two years ago Indian firms started making major investments in North America. I begged on these pages and elsewhere for somebody to sit…
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