Celebrating 20 Years of CED in Pictou County
2011 marks 20 years of Community Economic Development (CED) in Pictou County.
Our agency was one of the province's original RDA's (Regional Development Authority's). It's a model of economic development that Nova Scotians can be proud of because it effectively brings together the key stakeholders responsible for economic development, the three orders of government – Federal, Provincial and Municipal. By working together at the same table, efforts are coordinated and unified and resources flow in a shared direction.
This occasion makes it a great time to reflect, look back upon past successes and learn again from the lessons of our history. In these highlights of the past 20 years we see a history of collaboration, partnership and leadership. If you have a story or a memory to share please get in touch.
1991
PRDC Established
On February 25, 1991, the six municipal units of Pictou County joined with area business leaders to officially announce the establishment of the Pictou Regional Development Commission ... making it one of the original RDA’s in Nova Scotia. Its purpose then as now, to serve as a strong and united organization to aggressively pursue opportunities in the highly competitive marketplace of economic development.
“We are determined to work together, to seek consensus on development issues, and to enter to the economic development marketplace with a single voice and a single image,” said Hank Dunnewold, then Warden of the County and Vice Chairman of the new organization.
1994
Business Service Centre Established
Bringing together county, provincial and federal agencies under one roof, all dedicated to fostering business development and growth.
1995
First RDA to complete Strategic Plan
Education, IT and Image are key areas identified and will shape many of the major initiatives in the following years.
1996
Business Resource Library Opens
Providing a collection of books, videos, software and internet links for aspiring entrepreneurs, businesses and community groups, it becomes the first in the province to form an official alliance with the Canada Nova Scotia Business Service Centre.
1997
Sustaining the Ferry Link
Forging partnerships across borders, PRDC works to market and develop new product to help the ferry regain traffic volumes after the opening of Confederation Bridge. It also successfully works with its partners to lobby the federal government to renew its subsidy to the ferry, set to expire in 1999.
1998
We’re Working Wonders
PRDC’s Image Committee launches its campaign, which celebrates the positive attributes of living and working in Pictou County and the strides made in industry, culture, sport, business and overall quality of life.
1998
Business Counselling...With Results
PRDC reports providing business counselling to 37 projects, on topics from market research to site selection, resulting in more than 80 new jobs. Since its inception in 1991 the county had netted 371 more businesses and gained about 200 jobs.
1999
Generating Local Benefits from the Pipeline
In partnership with Antigonish, Colchester and Guysborough, PRDC hires a consultant to help local businesses get contracts. PRDC successfully lobbies for Pictou County to be the main staging location for the construction and an estimated $10m flows in to the county.
2000
Helping its Partners to be Strategic
PRDC begins facilitating strategic planning processes for its municipal and community group partners. In the decade that follows dozens of plans have been developed, updated and implemented across Pictou County.
2001
Ensuring We’re Ahead of the IT Curve
In an effort to advance Information Technology across the community, PRDC initiates a major project to create a comprehensive community website portal, PictouCountyConnects.com is launched in 2004.
2002
Forum for Economic Cooperation
Held twice annually, these forums epitomize the spirit of working together for a regional approach to economic and political challenges. PRDC remains the only RDA in Nova Scotia to host such forums.
2003
Making it an easy choice for Site Selectors
PRDC partners on a Labour Force Inventory project to assist with investment attraction, labour force planning and tracking economic growth. The project builds on the 2002 launch of Target Nova Scotia, an interactive web tool to provide site selectors with the information they need.
2004
It’s Official...We’re number 1
After successfully lobbying to be included in the KPMG international study of cost-competitive locations, Pictou County comes out on top— the most cost-competitive place to do business in the world.
2005
ISO Certified
PRDA achieves ISO 9001:2000 certification, demonstrating its commitment to quality assurance. (Changed to ISO 9001:2008 in 2010)
2006
Facilitating New Stopping Points
The East River Valley Kiosk project is the first of its kind in Pictou County and its success in showcasing the area’s rich heritage and giving visitors more reasons to stop and explore would spark the development of 16 other community kiosks.
2007
Creating A Cycling Destination
Led by PRDC, the Pictou County’s Bikeways project develops bike infrastructure throughout the community and a safe, scenic, network of bicycle routes—opening the community to active transportation.
2007
Helping Workers Transition
PRDC spearheads the creation of the TrentonWorks Employee Transition Centre, a massive initiative to help laid-off workers improve their skills, gain certifications and regain employment. Many dozens of workers are counselled, re-trained and re-employed.
2008
Leveraging Partnerships for Greater Success
Facilitated by PRDC, the Recruitment & Retention project brings employers from across the county together to redress their labour force supply issues. Together they launch “Where Work Meets Life” in 2009, a campaign to communicate the great benefits of living and working in Pictou County.
2009
Supporting a Welcoming & Inclusive Pictou County
In an effort to foster a more welcoming and inclusive Pictou County, PRDC hosts the first annual Fusion Festival and works with a number of community partners to develop of a Welcoming & Inclusive Strategy.
2009
Rural Conference for Rural Solutions
PRDC works with its partners in the Village of River John to coordinate the first ever rural economic development conference. More than 125 delegates and 35 vendors participate and workshops facilitate learning and new connections between rural entrepreneurs.
2010
Vision 2020
After extensive community consultation, Forward Together: Regional Economic Development Strategy (2010-2020) is launched, outlining 7 pillars of the economy to bolster for the future: Manufacturing, Tourism, Small Business, Natural Resource, Labour Force and Creative Economy.
2010
Marketing the Northumberland Shore
Working with its tourism partners, PRDC coordinates a Uniform Signage Program to enhance directional signage from Amherst to Antigonish and ArtisanWay.ca, an artisan-themed tour intended to drive traffic to the studios of our many talented rural entrepreneurs.
2010
Cruising into to Pictou
Since 2005, PRDC worked hard to keep all the local partners committed to the Pictou Small Port initiative and in 2010 this paid off with the announcement of the first scheduled cruise ship visit, which will take place in 2012.
2010
New name. New look. Same course.
PRDC becomes PRDA—Pictou Regional Development Agency.
1991 - Present
Shared Success
Our success in community economic development would not be possible without the remarkable support of hundreds of community-minded volunteers and businesses providing countless hours and partnership dollars when needed.
