New coordinator connecting development dots for Western Kings

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

If you’ve got an idea, David Keddy wants to hear from you.

Whether it’s painting apple art on barrels for display in Berwick, the “apple capital,” seeing the Kings Mutual Century Centre get underway or attracting a range of small, niche businesses to the community, “if there are people out there with a passion for working with a group, let’s see what’s out there.”

Keddy’s enthusiasm and experience for community building is what landed him the job as economic development co-ordinator for Western Kings County, a new position supported by the Town of Berwick, Western Kings Board of Trade and Kings and provincial economic development agencies. He started at the end of April.

“Hopefully, what people will see is a change in the community.”

One of his projects is taking goals from the Berwick Economic Development Advisory Committee’s new strategic plan and making them happen. Number one on the list is addressing the “northern gateway” to Berwick: the Cornwallis River bridge from the highway overpass and the northern Commercial Street area as the new fire hall project looks at a fall finish and there are ideas of river park spaces and trails being considered.

IF we can get people to come in off Exit 15 and into the town, everyone wins,” Keddy says.

Enhancing overall community beautification is another priority, and Keddy hopes to have volunteer – residents and businesses – get on board.

Linking business resources to each other, and using them to develop an in-fill plan for the downtown core are also immediate projects, and the Kings Mutual Century Centre rounds out the top five.

“I think the town has some interesting opportunities ahead, and we just have to get creative. A good plan has diversification and stability for a healthier community, and we have the apple heritage to build on and the potential for niche businesses.”

Berwick town councillor Mike Trinacty chairs the Economic Development Advisory Committee and calls Keddy’s hiring “really huge.

“We hope to create a lot of momentum.”

While Keddy’s job is for a two-year term, Trinacty isn’t looking ahead at and ending.

“There’s a lot of stuff behind the scenes we’re working on for immediate success, and we’re hoping David will be good at finding all the different directions. “

The partnership between the board o f trade, the town and outside development agencies is “really needed,” Trinacty says.

Western Kings Board of Trade president Linda Ramsay agrees.

“This is for the greater community,” she says. “The board of trade is looking for a coordinated effort to put Western Kings on the map as a place to ‘live, work and play.’ With the strategic goals we’ve identified, we should see some tangible results.”

Keddy lives in Berwick with his family and has national experience in event planning and charitable fundraising. He says his office door is “wide open,” and people interested in what he’s up to may reach him at 538-5633, dkeddy@town.berwick.ns.ca or at 222 Commercial Street, Berwick (across from Wilsons Pharmasave).