The New Regional Economic Development Agency for Greater Saint John Wants You!
Cathy Simpson is the Transition Committee Co-Chair for the Greater Saint John Regional Economic Agency and a passionate community change maker.
Community, Collaboration, and Creativity.
Three words that for me describe the juncture we are at as we think of our Greater Saint John community. It’s been a tough six months for the global economy and we have felt it here at home. Even before Covid-19, growth in Greater Saint John has been stagnant and not at the levels of other similarly sized cities across the country.
Over a year ago, a volunteer group came together to look at new ways and ideas of boosting our approach for growth. We wanted to build on strengths that were occurring in the region and we also thought it was time to evaluate the path forward for investments and oversight. This has resulted in the full agreement of all of the local municipalities and the City of Saint John to a new regional agency that will take the lead on strategic investment in economic development, people attraction, infrastructure development, and tourism development.
A great first step. Our municipal investors and our provincial and federal funding partners are on board and we are attacking this with a growth mindset for change and fresh thinking. But it is going to take more than just creating a new agency to drive growth. It requires a shift in mindset – attitudinal change.
That starts with the new Board of Directors and Transition Board Chair who are expected to be bold (but not reckless) in their thinking and their actions. Nimble, agile, decisive, results-focused; those are the characteristics necessary for this board to be effective.
The leadership of this new organization will need to have an entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem solving, and zero tolerance for good enough. There’s no room for good enough around this table.
The Greater Saint John region is full of diverse people who are passionate about where they live and work. As a community, we need to successfully harness this collective energy and support key strategic opportunities and for all of us, no matter what hat we are wearing, to contribute in whatever way we can, to participate and build a new agency that will propel our region’s growth.
You know that saying… It takes a village? Well, it really does and perhaps you have the energy, experience, and thought leadership to be around that table driving this path forward. What does that look like?
If you’ve got a passion for the Greater Saint John community, experience that can be counted on, and a desire to help transition to a bold and new united approach for growth in our region, you can apply to be a board member of this new organization today! Please share within your networks near and far and go to www.redagsj.com for more info. There will also be opportunities for subject matter experts and engaged community members to participate in future sub-committees of areas of focus.
The investors have said it’s time to truly embrace a regional approach. Put it simply, we are at too important a crossroad and strength comes from collaboration. It’s obvious to anyone living and working in the Greater Saint Region, that we live in an economically integrated community. The strategies for growth should be integrated too. High tides raise all boats; success anywhere in Greater Saint John benefits all of us and needs to be celebrated.
Change can be uncomfortable; it’s hard, and murky at times. This new board of directors has a big role to play to alleviate those fears, help to guide, and direct the new organization. Maybe this is the ideal time to get engaged and involved in what matters to you and help shape the future of our community
We are counting on you.
Applications close on September 11th!
For more information on submitting an application, visit www.redagsj.com
Huddle publishes commentaries from groups and individuals on important business issues facing the Maritimes. These commentaries do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Huddle. To submit a commentary for consideration, contact editor Mark Leger: [email protected].