I just got back from an overnight canoeing trip on the Miramichi with a couple of ED buddies. By my count, we spent about 13 hours straight talking about economic development. I felt like Russian dissidents circa the 1970s plotting…
Continue ReadingWhat they lack in nuance they make up in persistency
I am talking about the Fraser Institute quoted in the T&T today led by the big bold black headline “Lower taxes create jobs”. Glad that Al Hogan is joining the discussion. Wish the piece was a little more nuanced. Our…
Continue ReadingWe all know where Fraser is coming from but they do put together some interesting comparative data. This is their latest review of North American labour markets. I was actually impressed with New Brunswick’s ranking of 43rd out of 60…
Continue ReadingOne definition of a smart city
I am not a huge fan of this metric but it does hold some interest. Here is the lead in Macleans: If you were to imagine Canada’s smartest city — a place filled with fascinating people, cultural delights and endless…
Continue ReadingThe importance of comparison
You know I write reports for a living. Dozens of them per year ranging from 5 page briefing notes to 100 page reports that only a handful of folks ever read. One of the central themes I have learned over…
Continue ReadingEvolving the customer contact centre industry
I sat a meeting no less than 15 years ago where the topic was “evolving the call centre industry”. We were in a room talking about how New Brunswick could leverage its success at attracting call centres to attract higher…
Continue ReadingTories smelling blood or is it the long haul?
I don’t know if political ‘machines’ are as well oiled as some people like to think. For example, some folks have told me that ‘top’ potential candidates will stay out of a leadership race if they don’t think the party…
Continue ReadingThe pendulum keeps on swinging
15 years ago, there was very little ‘seek and find’ activity undertaken by local economic development agencies. Those were the heady days of Frank McKenna. Then slowly, in response to perceived underperformance from provincial economic development efforts, local ED agencies…
Continue ReadingQuick follow up: The role of an economic developer
Just a quick follow up to my last post because I can already hear the response of some: “Economic developers shouldn’t be in the business of real estate development competing with the private sector”. How many times have I heard…
Continue ReadingBuildings are needed infrastructure, too
Interesting article in the G&M today about an historic building in Summerside, PEI that was redeveloped into a softwar One of Summerside’s oldest structures, the former Holman’s department store, has been gutted and is being retrofitted to serve as a…
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