| The series of special articles
to follow is printed with the kind permission of Eastern Shore
author and publisher Marike Finlay-de Monchy. |
 Beyond
Buckshot
Dateline: June
2007
3rd in the "Not Rocket Science" Series
By: Marike Finlay - de Monchy
Not Rocket Science:
Low Capital Strategies for Creating Sustainable Development on
the Eastern Shore
Part III
The Goal of Sustainability
The Eastern Shore has seen a substantial hemorrhage of its population
over the past 30 years as various enterprises have shut down,
and once abundant natural resources-wild salmon, hardwood, ground
fish, gold-have become scarce. The ravages of clear cutting are
more and more evident along the winding roadway that stretches
through the region from Dartmouth to Canso, and then up to Mulgrave.
An important question faces all of us who live along this road:
will this shore become a mere resource grab bag and dumping ground
or could it become a kind of Costa Rica of Nova Scotia, a natural
paradise that people seek to travel to from the world over? While
it is unlikely that any major economic investments will be made
in this area by the province in the near future, we believe that
with a minimum of investment and a proper development strategy,
this Shore could become an enviable jewel in Nova Scotia's crown
with everything to gain and little to lose.
It is not necessary to place our hope for the Shore's salvation
in large capital investments or major corporate enterprises. A
number of small changes and unique entrepreneurial activities
might contribute just as well or better to sustaining and rejuvenating
our local Shore economies. According to Statistics Canada and
Canadian Federation of Independent Business figures, approximately
half of Canada's GDP, and more than half of the employment in
Canada comes from small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 6 out of
every 10 people in Canada are employed by small and medium enterprises.
Nova Scotia's rural economy is dominated by such businesses. According
to the CFIB, "SMEs… are the recognized engine of job
creation" in rural Nova Scotia, and "account for over
half of total employment" in the province. In Canada, more
than 90% of the firms that specialize in fishing, hunting, trapping,
arts and sporting-related enterprises, real estate, securities
and professional and technical services are small businesses with
less than $500, 000 in annual revenues. 85% of forestry and logging
enterprises are also on this scale, as are 87% of scenic and sightseeing
transportation companies, and 82% of the companies involved in
support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction.
It is clear that on the Eastern Shore, we must look to such small-scale
enterprises for our growth and community well-being. In addition,
recent data shows that the growth of such small-scale entrepreneurial
efforts have not been affected by downturns in the stock market
in the same way that large firms have, but continue, in many sectors,
to do quite well.
In 2001, the CFIB made some strong, low-cost recommendations
for strengthening rural Nova Scotia economies and businesses.
These recommendations envision better collaboration between local
businesses, schools, communities and government. How can small
and medium businesses, communities, and schools on the Eastern
Shore grow and prosper over the long haul?
Pulling the Shore Together
With a little cooperation among its residents, and support from
the three levels of government, the Eastern Shore could be developed
in ways that would preserve its natural beauty and its cultural
heritage, and blow new wind into the sails of our provincial ship.
Some of these suggestions will require some coordinated effort
from the communities that line the Shore, perhaps with the assistance
of a community development strategist of some sort. Periodically,
you hear of a depopulated town or area out West once a mining
company closes up shop. These communities sometimes hire a development
strategist to promote the community in a new manner and maintain
its base and even growth. The Eastern Shore, at least from Musquodoboit
to Canso, could greatly benefit from such a coordinator. Several
priorities might be earmarked and facilitated by the strategist,
local communities, and government. Individuals or small groups
of interested persons (Chambers of Commerce, etc.) may also implement
other suggestions.
In the following weeks I will introduce some particular strategies
that we could follow to "Create a Recurring Revenue Stream".
Read Installments - 1,
2, 3,
4, 5,
6, 7, 8,
----------------------------
Marike Finlay - de Monchy taught Communications at McGill University
and abroad, practiced psychoanalysis, carried out development
work in Latin America, and managed an organic farm in Quebec.
Marike sailed to the Eastern Shore and loved it
so much that she has since settled in West Quoddy where she runs
a small writing, editing and publishing business.
Marike and Karin Cope are co-authors of "Casting a Legend
- The Story of the Lunenburg Foundry".
"Casting a Legend - The Story of the Lunenburg Foundry"
Buy the Book Now!
Buy Karin Cope's book
"Passionate Collaborations: Learning to Live With Gertrude
Stein"
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