Macleans is out with another set of controversial data designed to aggravate people and sell magazines. The Codiac Region in New Brunswick (Moncton) ranks 50th out of the 100 most dangerous cities. Fredericton ranks 34th and Saint John ranks 15th…
Continue ReadingRecession woes
It’s official, Canada is now in a full bore recession. There are now two camps emerging (I listened to podcasts during the treacherous ride back from the ‘Chi today). The optimistic camp sees economic growth returning in early 2010 and…
Continue ReadingNip weird talk in the bud
A few people have made comments to me about Ireland’s recent troubles. These same people have also insinuated it was a good thing that NB doesn’t have the auto industry like Ontario. That’s crazy talk. Ireland led the first world…
Continue ReadingZoom zoom
Bill Belliveau is making the case for high speed rail around New Brunswick. Live in St. Stephen, work in Saint John. Live in Miramichi, work in Moncton, etc. Belliveau is a thoughtful guy and mostly makes sense. This idea also…
Continue ReadingA primer on economic development incentives
Someone sent me a link re: the last post saying that $50 million in incentives for 500 jobs seems like a lot of money – particularly in light of my emphasis on ROI for government dollars invested in projects like…
Continue ReadingNew billion dollar polysilicon plant in Tennessee
German chemical company Wacker Chemie is investing in a new $1 billion plant in Cleveland, Tennessee. Local officials say the deal will bring at least 500 jobs. Gov. Phil Bredesen says Thursday that the deal with the Munich, Germany-based company will bolster…
Continue ReadingControlling the cost of government
Like most organizations, the cost of labour (payroll) tends to make up the bulk of government spending so any attempts to look at cost control will turn to either cutting the number of public sector workers (and by that I…
Continue ReadingFor whom the bell tolls
I don’t know why this toll issue is coming up again. There is no way any government in New Brunswick is going to propose toll highways after what happened in 1999. Sure, I know that Nova Scotia has tolls and…
Continue ReadingEnergy hub – lessons from the West
A couple of days ago, CBC had a interview with an advisor to President Obama on energy and climate change issues. The guy singled out Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and said he had been working with California on clean energy…
Continue ReadingThe wheels on the bus go round ‘n round
There are a few old grizzled veterans around like the 80+ year old Hal Fredericks and the younger but knowledgeable Donald Savoie that truly understand the scope and scale of economic development efforts in this region going back 40 years…
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