Eat Local

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell is inviting Nova Scotians to join him in his pledge to eat only Atlantic food on September 4th. He says Atlantic food is good for our health, community, and the environment and supports our economy. He is joined by Atlantic ministers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The province with the most pledges will be declared the challenge winner. The competition was started by Co-op food stores in 2008. To sign up for the Eat Atlantic Challenge, visit www.eatatlantic.ca.

New Tourism President

A tough job ahead with declining numbers and a struggling tourism economy. A new president is in place for Destination Southwest Nova. Dan Myers of Oak Island Resort has been appointed by the association's board. He's been an active member of the group for the past two years and has been very involved with the marketing committee. Myers chaired the first meeting of the new board saying he believes in a regional approach to marketing the area. And he is looking forward to helping the Association build strong partnerships that will lead to increased visitation. Past President Rick Welsford helped lead the regional tourism industry association through the complicated amalgamation in 2006 but recently stepped down. The board thanked him for his leadership, hard work and commitment to the industry.

Composites Trade Show

A delegation of 17 Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence companies and organizations have returned home following a successful trade mission to Paris, France. They attended the Paris Air Show, an international trade show for aerospace equipment and technology. Mission delegates , including Composites Atlantic in Lunenburg, were able to establish and build business contacts and take part in a number of industry-related meetings, roundtables and information sessions.

Firing up the barbecue in Queens County could be a bit of a problem this summer. The region is about to lose the last free-standing propane fill-up. Mayor John Leefe says the situation will also affect some businesses. There is still the availability for the 30-pound tanks to be filled in Queens through exchange programs.

Bowater Mersey Shutdown

2009-05-14 06:25:12

Workers at the Bowater Mersey Paper mill in Queens county are being laid off for another five week period early in June.
Human Resources Manager Robin Anthony says the AbitibiBowater workers will be off from June 6th until July 16th.   She says this production curtailment is related to the world-wide market for newsprint. It is the same reason given for similar shutdowns in March and over the Christmas holidays.   The company is allowing people to apply any unused vacation time towards the five week period. That was also offered to them in the last two closures.   There is a possibility this could signal a change from a year-round operation to limited production runs for the Brooklyn paper mill. And some are suggesting it may lead to efforts at making shutdowns and start ups quicker and more efficient in the future.   Previous layoffs affected most of the 300 unionized workforce at the plant.    The Washington Post is a minority owner of the Bowater Mersey mill. That has kept the Nova Scotia operation out of the Bankruptcy Protection process parent AbitibiBowater has engaged in because of financing issues.