Download Friday, August 1, 2014 Notes

Notes from the Eastern HRM Region Communities’ Economic Development Network
Conference Call August 1, 2014
Community Representatives:

Verna Higgins, Musquodoboit Valley Tourism Association

Sandy Moser, Sheet Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce and Civic Affairs

Deirdre Dwyer, Musquodoboit Harbour and Area Community Association

Karen Traversy, Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society
Advisor: Robyn Webb, Director, Labour Market Development, Greater Halifax Partnership (GHP)
1. Minutes from the meeting of July 14, 2014 were reviewed. There were 2 corrections: Darren
Hirtle (rather than Darrell); public strategic planning meeting date was March 29, 2014 not
March 31, 2014. Robyn W. will post the minutes on the GHP website (community development
tab) and will send out a notice of the posting to the community distribution list.
2. The Steering Committee reviewed the draft Terms of Reference for the Network and its
Steering Committee which was based on a template provided by Darren Hirtle, HRM Community
Developer, Volunteer Services at the July 14, 2014 meeting. Changes have been incorporated
into the attached draft Terms of Reference. Karen T. will send the revised terms of reference to
Darren H. and the Steering Committee for their review.
3. Robyn W. reported that she had acquired a list of Eastern Shore community and business
groups. This list will be reviewed and updated at the next meeting as a basis for ensuring that all
groups interested in participating in the Network are included.
4. Karen T. reported that she had followed up on an informal spring meeting convened by realtor
Kim Clarke to establish a business association in Porter’s Lake. Karen will send Kim information
about the Network.
5.
Verna H. suggested that the Steering Committee place hard copies of the Network’s meeting
notes and other documents in community spaces for those unable to access them via the
internet. The Musquodoboit and Sheet Harbour Libraries were suggested as well as a yearround location in the Musquodoboit Valley to be determined.
6. It was noted that the Eastern Shore Cooperator monthly newspaper and Shop the Shore were
also good sources of communication on the Shore.
7. Verna H., Karen T. and Robyn W. reported on a July 30, 2014 meeting on the Bay of Islands STEP
process held in Sheet Harbour. The purpose of the meeting was to brief local politicians
including Minister Peter MacKay, Senator Tom MacInnis , Kevin Murphy, Eastern Shore MLA and
HRM councillors David Hendsbee and Barry Dalrymple on progress to date with an application
for ACOA funding for a Strategic Tourism Expansion Program grant for the Bay of Islands on the
Eastern Shore. The goal of the STEP process is to develop an actionable plan to develop the area
between Jeddore and Liscomb as a sustainable tourism destination capitalizing on the Bay of
Islands.
The ACOA STEP process uses ACOA-certified tourism consultants and involves extensive community
consultation and local business involvement. Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores
(DEANS) will be the manager for this project. It is expected that once implemented, initiatives
identified in this planning process will result in more visitors for the entire Eastern Shore and its
communities.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust also gave a presentation at this meeting about their “100 Wild Islands
Campaign” a separate initiative which involves the purchase of privately held land for conservation
purposes. This private initiative complements the provincial government’s 2013 12% protection
announcement which includes the protection of Crown lands involving over 400 coastal islands and
headlands of the Eastern Shore stretching from Clam Harbour to Liscomb Point (Eastern Shore
Islands Wilderness Area).
Over $5000 has been raised from Eastern Shore businesses, community organizations and HRM in
support of this STEP project.
8.
Other updates related to planning priorities: Sheet Harbour and Musquodoboit Harbour have
received funding for a rural transportation study. Eastlink announced recently planned
extension of wireless coverage (need to follow-up to determine if this will apply to the Eastern
Shore.