Pictou County Regional Strategic Plan

2010-2020 Regional Economic Development Strategy

Community Economic Development is a locally planned and executed process to improve the economic viability of communities. On behalf of its municipal partners, PRDA has facilitated the development of a new regional strategic plan that will guide economic development for the coming decade beginning 2010.

As understood by the people responsible for this plan, community economic development marries the best aspects of community development and economic development processes to ensure that all perspectives of a community are brought together toward a common goal.

The strategy will provide focused growth across the region for the coming decade. The spirit of the document is found in its name: “Forward Together”—a principle that each partner is committed to. In practice, that means taking a collaborative approach to strengthen and expand seven core sectors of the economy:

• Industrial Manufacturing Cluster—using specialization and innovation to emerge as a world-class competitor in tire and metal fabrication.

• Major Business Sector—supporting and leveraging the continued health of the region’s major employers and generating new business development.

• Tourism Sector—marketing Pictou County as a day-trip and short-stay destination in close proximity to the Halifax-Moncton Growth Corridor and investing in on-line marketing tools.

• Small & Medium Enterprise Sector—providing support for succession planning, new ventures and early adoption of new technologies.

• Natural Resource Sector—developing new products and markets.

• Labour Force Supply—increasing participation, productivity and net in-migration.

• Creative Economy—stimulating an exchange of ideas across sectors and exploring ways to foster interconnectivity to marry the best of rural living with the best of living in proximity to an urban growth corridor.

The strongest economic base in Pictou County is the people that live here; this is the most important aspect of advancing a successful economic strategy. Second is a strong economic foundation, which are the 10 large employers and the network of more than 2,200 small and medium size businesses - both major economic contributors. This is the basis for our competitiveness in global markets. When a focus is given to people, economic foundations and global markets then you will have the conditions for successful economic performance.

Read our January Newsletter(PDF 160KB)

For more information on the Strategy or how to get involved contact:

Kelly McVicar, Rural Community Development Officer

kelly.mcvicar AT pictourda DOT ca

(902) 752-6159 x. 224

Once again thank you for your continued interest, support and assistance. We look forward to working together to enhance the economic prosperity of Pictou County.

Forward Together: 2010-2020 Regional Economic Development Strategy (1MB)

Forward Together: Implementation PlanForward Together: Implementation Plan (780KB)

Pictou County Regional Strategic Plan for Economic Development (1995 - 2005)