Windsor seen as Mecca of economic development

The Downtown Windsor Mall is becoming known in parts of China as a Mecca for economic development.

A delegation from Western China visited Windsor last Tuesday to study how local economic development groups work together to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in Hants County. “We are one of only two Atlantic Canadian stops this group is making,” says Ryan MacNeil, Executive Director of the Hants RDA and Chair of the Enterprise Centre board. “This visit speaks to the success of our partnership model.”

The Chinese delegation traveled to Canada on a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)-funded project designed to enhance and develop the rights and opportunities of ethnic minorities is China’s western provinces. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is managing the project.

MacNeil says that two previous Chinese delegations have made introductory visits to the centre. This most recent trip was unique because the participants will return and develop similar entrepreneurship centres in three counties of rural China. “They understand that when it comes to implementing entrepreneurship centres in rural areas, you’re not only talking about business growth, but also community development,” he says.

Interested in RDA approach

The group was interested in the RDA approach to economic development, which has been recognized internationally for its accountability, partnership and community-based planning. In addition, MacNeil said the delegates were also keen to gain a better understanding of how the local CBDC handles microfinance lending to entrepreneurs.

Following presentations by the RDA and CBDC, delegates toured the Enterprise Centre and retired for lunch at the Spitfire Arms Pub. After lunch they visited Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia to learn about development of cultural facilities and export of performing arts.

While there are a number of agencies engaged in economic development around the region, MacNeil said collaboration is what sets Hants County apart. “Our collaborative model is recognized as being a leader.”

The Hants RDA, the CBDC Hants-Kings, the Job Resource Centre, PeopleWorx, Nova Scotia Business Inc., and Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development are all co-located at the Enterprise Centre in the downtown mall. The Nova Scotia Community College is also an active partner and the centre is used weekly by visiting staff from agencies like ACOA.

The Enterprise Centre was established in 1998. In 2005, the RDA, CBDC, and other partners established a similar collection of services at the East Hants Resource Centre in Elmsdale.

Save money by sharing services

MacNeil said the organizations in the Enterprise Centre are able to save money by sharing some services. But most importantly, and of most interest to the Chinese, is that co-location has allowed each organization to serve its clients better. “There’s no such thing as coming to the wrong door,” MacNeil said. “If we don’t have the services to help you, we can walk you down the hall to someone who does.”

Finding innovative ways to use finite government resources to assist as many people as possible is top of mind for many of the Chinese economic developers, MacNeil said. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to be a part of community economic development, even when it’s happening on the other side of the world.”