(Cape Breton, NS) – The landscape of Cape Breton-Unama’ki is changing. Innovative new businesses are appearing across the island, the international student population is growing at unprecedented rates, and traditional industries such as seafood and tourism are providing renewed energy and growth. There is a sense of optimism in the air and we need a strategy to guide us towards a prosperous future for Unama’ki – Cape Breton.

As the Island’s private sector-led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership is leading the development of an Island-wide economic and population growth strategy to help our region work together to grow Cape Breton-Unama’ki. To inform the strategy, Cape Bretoners are being asked to take a survey to share their perspectives, ideas, and experiences.   

“For the first time in our history, we have municipal units and First Nation communities coming together to support regional economic development initiatives through the Regional Enterprise Network model,” says Carla Arsenault, Cape Breton Partnership President & CEO. “The time has never been better to come together to create a plan that benefits the entire Island.”

The Cape Breton Partnership has hired Group ATN Consulting Inc. to prepare the strategy. This will include an extensive outreach and engagement process. The strategy will be completed in early 2020.

In addition to the public survey, Group ATN will be engaging with a broad range of key stakeholders and rights-based holders from across the Island, including First Nation communities, municipalities, entrepreneurs, businesses, social enterprises, and those involved in the cultural and tourism sectors. This outreach and engagement process will be an important contributor to the development and refinement of a new economic and population growth strategy.

The survey takes 12-15 minutes and is available online at www.capebretonpartnership.com/growthstrategy. There you will find a discussion paper along with the survey.

Media Contact:

Megan Tonet

Cape Breton Partnership

902-562-0122

megan@capebretonpartnership.com

The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

Group ATN Consulting Inc., part of the m5 group of companies, is a diversified consultancy serving the public and private sectors, First Nations and Aboriginal Interests and Non-Government Organizations. Group ATN also specializes in economic impact analysis and tourism.