The Agenda Committee marshalled over one hundred and fifty volunteers representing
twenty-five different sectors of business and industry. After many months of work, they
presented their economic development research findings to Jointex in April, 1993.
The Urgent Agenda Committee proposed three significant policy initiatives to Jointex.
It was advocated:
- That industrial Cape Breton required a regional, consolidated and collective approach to economic development.
- That the municipalities were determined to be the key to economic development and the municipalities acting in unison was thought to be critical.
- That Jointex establish a collective Economic Development Authority that would represent all municipal units in Cape Breton County and would ensure representation of business and labour.
As a result of the foregoing, the Cape Breton Joint Expenditure Board in September,
1993, established the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. By
March of 1994, CBCEDA's Board of Directors was fully constituted with municipal
representatives from all units, representatives from the business communities, and a
labour representative.
CBCEDA's Board of Directors retained the services of Mr. Keith G. Brown as Interim
Executive Director of the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. Mr.
Brown was commissioned to develop a strategic plan for the restructuring of the
economy of Cape Breton County. Mr. Brown and his staff were given a maximum of six
months to complete this strategic plan.
After consulting with 162 people from 19 different sectors and compiling regional,
national, and international research; the Cape Breton County Economic Development
Authority released the Strategic Economic Action Plan on August 12, 1994.
In September, 1994, Mr. Keith Brown returned to his postion as Dean of Extension and
Community Affairs at the University College of Cape Breton. Ms. Eileen Lannon
Oldford was appointed as the Executive Director of the Cape Breton County Economic
Development Authority.
In September, 1995, CBCEDA's Board of Directors will be restructured with
representatives from the key stakeholders (Federal, Provincial, Municipal, and UCCB),
Labour, and five community representatives.
The Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority would like to applaud and
thank the outgoing board members who have devoted their time and energy in
developing this initiative. Each member has shown dedication towards making a
difference in the economic outlook for the Cape Breton County area.
![[Image: CBCEDA Board Members]](../graphics/board.gif)
