A fresh start is being made in organized
economic development in Eastern Prince Edward Island. A new
organization called Active Communities Inc. has been formed as the result
of a review undertaken by the executive of Opportunities East Inc. (OEI)
and representatives of the federal and provincial governments in
November, 1997.
Active Communities Inc. has replaced OEI and will be led by a new,
five-person Board of Directors. The four members named so far are Jack
Campbell, Chair of the Board, Marguerite Arsenault, Martinus Rose, and
Alan MacPhee.
"We are looking forward to working with the many communities and
organizations of Eastern PEI to find ways to further the economic
development of the region," said Mr. Campbell.
The board of Active Communities Inc. will determine what direction this
organization will take, and how it will function in working to meet its
mandate of community economic development in Eastern Prince Edward
Island.
"Active Communities Inc. and its Board of Directors has an important role
to play in the economic development of Eastern Prince Edward Island, and
I have every confidence that they are up to the challenge," said Dan
Fenety, Vice President of ACOA, PEI.
Over the next year, the new Board is expected to establish the structure of
the organization and identify and undertake economic development
activities in Eastern PEI. In doing so, the Board will consider
recommendations of the Transition Team formed late last year, which was
composed of representatives of the OEI Board of Directors, the provincial
department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency.
"The transition team has looked at the recent history of economic
development in Eastern Prince Edward Island, and supports the formation
of a new board," said the Honourable Wes MacAleer, Minister of
Economic Development and Tourism. "Recommendations of the transition
team are based on the work and experiences of the outgoing board
members, and will provide a strong starting point for the new board to
work from."
"Development of Eastern PEI presents both challenges and exciting
opportunities for this new organization and its board," said Barney Bree,
outgoing Chair of the OEI Board of Directors. "I'm sure the members will
meet those challenges with great success, building on OEI's past efforts."
The contributions of the outgoing volunteer board members were
recognized at a meeting which was held on February 17, 1998.
There are four community economic development corporations (CEDCs)
in Prince Edward Island, all of which receive operational funding support
from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Prince Edward
Island Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
All four CEDCs work in rural areas of the Island with a goal of furthering
the economic development of those areas. This goal is attained through the
provision of assistance to communities in planning and implementing
development projects and through loans and counselling to small
businesses.