Contact: Eileen Lannon-Oldford
CBCEDA RDA
Phone: (902)562-2201

Contact: Jillian Moore
SIFE Cape Breton
Phone: (902) 304-9167 

77 Kings Road
Sydney, NS B1S 1A2
www.cbceda.org  

1250 Grand Lake Road Sydney, NS, B1P 6L2
www.sifecapebreton.com

     
PRESS RELEASE
Memorandum of Understanding Signed Today Between Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (RDA) and Students in Free Enterprise Cape Breton (SIFE CB)

Sydney, May 2, 2011:  The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), took place today, officially declaring their intentions to work in joint collaboration for the positive advancement of Cape Breton County.  The Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (RDA) and Students in Free Enterprise Cape Breton (SIFE CB) recognize the value of partnerships in economic development and community development.

CBCEDA and the SIFE will work in full cooperation to foster economic development, social inclusion and capacity building initiatives that respects the mandates of their respective organizations.  "As partners in development, we shall seek to familiarize the policies, programs and services of the RDA and the SIFE, to ensure that all efforts foster the social and economic development and vitality of communities throughout our respective jurisdictions," said Eileen Lannon-Olford, CEO of Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority.

"Being such a new team, a positive partnership such as this MOU with CBCEDA, will provide our team with sustainability and many opportunities to implement important outreach projects. We will be representing not only the Shannon School of Business but also, Cape Breton University as a whole." Jillian Moore President of SIFE Cape Breton noted. 

The first initiative the partnership will look at is an exploration project entitled Youth Retention 2016 (YR 2016) with objectives of retaining youth upon graduation and closing the skill gaps identified by local employers.  An invitation to join the MOU will be extended to the Nova Scotia Community College Marconi Campus SIFE chapter which is currently in development stages.

The MOU is now in place and is effective immediately.