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General
Recommendation General (G)-1
A The federal agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation must redesign its focus and programming tools. Programs should be based upon private sector needs and employment growth potential, not a redesign of DREE programming from the 1960's. The programs must reflect the changing economy with a dramatically revamped administrative structure. Local residents should feel comfortable in their local development agency and staff should be inserviced to have their knowledge base reflect the sectoral clusters presented in this plan. Development staff should have a hands-on appreciation of the cluster and administrative staff an appreciation of the internal workings and administrative realities of the cluster. Program redesign should begin immediately.
B The strategic planning function for the local economy should be entirely centralized within the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. This centralization of service would eliminate the continued need for the Community Futures Organization as their original purpose was to establish strategic plans for their local communities. Resultant savings of funds should, in part, be redirected into cluster analysis and marketing.
C The functions of the Business Development Centres; Northside Economic Development Assistance Corporation, Oceanside Assistance Ltd., and Sydney Ventures Ltd should be centralized within the Canada-Nova Scotia Business Service Centre. Resultant savings of funds should, in part, be redirected to establish a venture capital fund for new business start-ups and expand upon the non-secured risk capital program currently offered by the Province.
D There is a widespread general concern that teachers, students and administrators do not have an understanding of the local economy and the future prospects for career options. UCCB in conjunction with the Cape Breton, Northside Victoria and Eskasoni School Boards should develop a series of teacher/administrator inservices, teacher retraining programs and information services for students based upon the new economy of Cape Breton County.
E The CBCEDA in conjunction with Organized Labour should develop a "Buy Cape Breton" campaign.