Biz Connector Connects with Oxford
Training of young people to meet the needs of local businesses stood out as a topic of interest tonight during a presentation to Oxford Town Council by the CEO of the Cumberland Business Connector.
CEO Jonathan McClelland spoke on what the agency has found to be Cumberland's strengths, weaknesses, and strategic priorities.
Mayor Trish Stewart wondered which of the region's seven high schools have a Junior Achievement Entrepreneurship Program running this year.
It turns out Oxford is not one of them, nor is Pugwash, but McClelland said he would like the program to be available in both communities by next September.
The Cumberland Business Connector was established in June to serve businesses in Oxford, Amherst, and Cumberland County—to bridge the gap between the needs of businesses and resources here to meet them.
“There needs to be an agency to take the needs of business to the levels of government involved,” said McClellan.
The key strategic priorities identified are:
- to influence government
- assist and support existing businesses to create a job ready workforce
Lots of strengths were identified in the presentation, including the largest agricultural land base in Nova Scotia, as well as high-potential tourism infrastructure.
McClelland says Cumberland has a high volume of manufacturing for a rural and small town region, with a high presence and potential for clean energy, like wind, tidal, and geothermal.
But there are weaknesses too, like our declining population, poor cell-phone, and internet service, along with low blueberry prices.