A key service of the South West Shore Development Authority is the initiation and administration of projects or the support of groups in the region that are leading a project to benefit their community.
Cooperation, through shared operational funding from municipal, provincial and federal governments, has enabled the SWSDA to become involved in every facet of our communities. While some projects have had immediate results, others have precipitated further activity that will engender long-term benefits, both economic and social.
The staff of the Development Authority have brought significant experience to the table in project development : proposal preparation and presentation, management and evaluation. All areas in the South West Shore region have received services from this group. These activities range from the redevelopment of waterfronts, lighthouse enhancement, film development, cultural festival establishment, tourism marketing, agricultural opportunities research, web site development and coastal mapping.
PROJECTS 2007-2008
SWSDA is assisting organizations and leading or partnering in the following projects:
Target Nova Scotia
The authority was a leader in the development of the award winning site location website and is promoting the expansion of the resources available through the site. www.targetnovascotia.com
Broadband
The Broadband project is complete. We are working with a local provider to implement his plans throughout the region. In addition, we are reviewing the plan to have highspeed internet available across the province by late 2009.
Coordinated Volunteer Services
SWSDA is coordinating the project effort in Shelburne County that works with community partners to provide services to seniors and disadvantaged citizens such as a home meal delivery program and bus tours. The activation of volunteers in the community is a goal of the project.
Resource Directory
The authority is updating online databases of businesses and organizations in the region to improve access to community services.
Job Creation Partnership Project (JCP)
We have been able to respond to the needs of special interest homeowners and non-profit groups for minor repairs and maintenance in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Clare. The staff members are unemployed individuals who are receiving skill upgrading and support to find full time employment.
Youth Services Centres
The Youth Services Centres in Yarmouth and Barrington support youth as they search for employment or a future in education and self-employment. The Centres are also Community Access Program sites that provide access to government on-line services.
Conseil Acadien de Par-En-Bas
Roseway Beach Development
Plans for developing Roseway Beach a more attractive beach are being drafted. There is interest from local groups in providing change rooms, picnic tables, a waiting area and a larger parking lot. The Department of Natural Resources will help create a plan for this development taking into consideration environmental concerns, the wishes of the community and the desire to make an attractive beach for tourism development. Park planners, architects and biologist will be involved in the process.
Woodland Multi-Use Trails
The authority is working with the Woodland Multi-Use Association to develop the abandoned rail beds into trails. The intent is for these trails to accommodate a variety of users both motorized and non-motorized.
Database of Reports
The intent is to consolidate all reports conducted in the southwest region into a searchable database. Through this project economic development groups could easily access studies which have been created over the last three decades.
Destination Development Plan
We are a member of Destination South West Nova. The Authority is coordinating a long-term Development Plan for “Yarmouth and Acadian Shores” region (Town of Yarmouth, Municipalities of Yarmouth, Clare and Argyle), one of the 5 sub-regions of Destination South West Nova. An existing Tourism Task Force has been expanded to include two industry representatives from each municipality.
Clare Acadian Interpretive Centre
SWSDA is working with Conseil des Arts for possible application for feasibility study of an Artist-run centre.
Argyle Tourism
The authority is working to support new projects
Acadian Product Development/Festivals
Working with Clare and Argyle festivals to enhance market-readiness of Acadian festivals and tourism product
Total Market Readiness
SWSDA has hired 2 consultants for this project. Forty five (45) participants from Clare through to Argyle and 5 in Shelburne County are being recruited. A website for this program has been developed: www.swsda.com/tmr.cfm.
Harvest by the Sea
2007 dates are September 19 - October 13, 2007. The festival will have a culinary/cooking theme, and will be the only festival of its kind in Nova Scotia.
Doers’ & Dreamers’
We developed the presence for the Town and Municipality of Yarmouth in this publication for 2007. We also purchased a ½ page ad for the French Doers and Dreamers, partnering with Clare & Argyle.
Nova Scotia Festival and Events
Staff of the authority are represented on the Nova Scotia Festival and Events Partnership Council that will represent the industry and advise government and other stakeholders on how to generate new economic activity, while supporting cultural and community development.
Yarmouth Website
GoYarmouth.com website has been secured and is now live, presenting opportunities for visitors to the area on line.
Event Assistance
Marketing and sponsorship advice is being given to local groups who are planning tourism-related events in the area. The goal is to work with the events to make the tourism product more cohesive.
Billy’s Hill Hiking Trail
Staff of SWSDA are working to develop a +/-8km hiking trail/loop into the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.
South West Shore Wind Energy Map
The Energy Office has developed a digital and paper wind energy map to stimulate the investment of our wind resource. Results are available on www.swsda.com. The Energy Office is developing a business case to extend the map throughout the province.
Clare Energy Concept
Working with the municipality, local industry and the province to develop and initiate an “energy concept” for the region based on experiences from the trip to Austria. We will continue to support the municipality’s project by assisting in securing funding for a coordinator for the plan as well as working closely with private industry once they decide to move forward with renewable energy projects.
Nova Scotia Association of RDAs
Chambers of Commerce
SWSDA continues to support and have memberships to the Clare, Barrington and Area, Shelburne and Area and Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce.
Town of Clark’s Harbour, Town Hall
SWSDA is supporting the Town of Clark’s Harbour to build a centre to house the library, visitor information centre, municipal offices and a public meeting room.
Women in Business
SWSDA supports Women in Business in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Clare to provides on-going support for women in business.
Lighthouse Coast Committee
A joint venture with Queens County and Shelburne County to try and raise tourism awareness together in both counties; meetings are held monthly.
Business Development
Individuals who are opening or expanding businesses are receiving counselling support. The Authority has knowledge of potential investors and of programs that can be accessed. Clients are often referred to other community groups who provide counselling and financing. The Business Development Bank of Canada in Yarmouth provides services to South West Nova Scotia clients. The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage based a Tourism Officer in Yarmouth to liaise with the industry. We are preparing MOU’s with the Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby Community Business Development Corporations.
Agricultural Development
We are working to identify opportunities for new development of highbush blueberries in the area. There is also interest in an organic lowbush operation in the area.
Business Retention and Expansion Project (BRE)
A project of the Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities to gain business knowledge that will help to implement appropriate local, regional, provincial or national solutions has started. We are working to identify operational expansion issues that require our attention and support and are concentrating on the fishing industry throughout the region.
Community Investment Support Program (CISP)
SWSDA is carrying out strategic planning and foreign direct investment activities. Final marketing materials are being prepared for distribution.
Immigration
We have partnered with other community organizations to create an Immigration Strategy and form an Immigration Partnership Committee.
Clare Energy Concept
Working with the municipality, local industry and the province to develop and initiate an “energy concept” for the region. Funding has been secured for the completion of a “Community Energy Master Plan”, to be completed by Lewis Engineering.
Clare Tourism
Staff of SWSDA continue to be involved as a member of the steering committee for the Clare Acadian Cultural/Interpretive Center. Working on further developing Acadian Tourism Product.
Not-for-Profit Groups in Clare/Argyle area
Continued assistance is given to several groups with funding applications and general counseling as a resource person for their group.
Mink Breeder Training/Research Facility
CDENE
The SWSDA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the CDÉNÉ, which fosters a positive working relationship in providing economic development services in the area.
Meteghan Park Development
SWSDA is working with group in Meteghan to source funding and form partnerships for outdoor fitness park for children of all ages.
Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission - Dominion Textile Project
The Complex has a 19,000 square foot unit available for industrial tenants. We are exploring the sale of some of the industrial complex and we are subdividing the East side property.
Yarmouth County Industrial Parks and Malls
YAIC is constructing a 12,000 square feet structure for CSC Corporate Domains in the Hebron Park. Completion of the building is set for July, 2007.
Tusket Industrial Park
A work committee has been established to explore options for sewer services in the Tusket Industrial Park. The committee is composed of the Municipality of Argyle and YAIC.
Port of Yarmouth
Committee Representatives of the Port have organized small ports in Nova Scotia to plan strategies for the future. We are working to implement a short-sea shipping project that will increase bulk shipping operations from the region. Addition land for development related to Port activities has been acquired.
Western Branch, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
SWSDA and its community partners have lead the effort to create the only branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia outside of the city of Halifax. The arts community is very involved with the planning and local fundraising for the building committee and some interior furnishings. We expect it to reopen for the tourist season.
Greenville Community Centre
The Community centre is completed and was officially opened on February 15, 2007 by the Premier and MP Richard Hurlburt.
Allendale Electronics
SWSDA and the Town of Lockeport are developing plans to build a manufacturing and research centre. The town will own the building which is expected to be 10,000 square feet and will lease it to appropriate tenants. It is expected that Allendale, a division of Nautel will be the principal tenant.
Support Services
The South West Shore Development Authority is mandated to provide services to individuals and groups that will maintain and grow the economic stability of the South West Shore region of Nova Scotia. To strengthen that role, the Authority and its partner, the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission (including the Port of Yarmouth) have received certification under ISO 9001:2000.
This improved two areas of our operation: procedures and evaluation through a regular management review process and with ongoing client feedback opportunities. The Authority’s Development Officers also organize and facilitate meetings and planning sessions, refer clients to organizations that provide specific services, research new business and community opportunities, manage projects for clients, create project partnerships, counsel entrepreneurs, co-write proposals, and initiate positive community development activities.
Project Archives (.zip file)
PROJECTS_1996-2000 (.doc file)
PROJECTS_2004-2005 (.doc file)
