Tuesday, December 18, 2007

New Courthouse can be anchor to responsible future development says Saint John Board of Trade

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased with today's announcement by the Provincial Government to construct a new courthouse in Saint John on the site of the old YMCA-YWCA building.

This new courthouse along with the City of Saint John's plans for a new police facility, parking garage, pedway, and investment in the Saint John Arts Centre and public spaces is an integrated approach to development. The Board of Trade encourages city staff and officials to make these investments responsibly with a keen eye to cost efficiency.

With this in mind this platform for urban renewal north of Union Street can spur potential future development for the uptown while protecting businesses and residents from future tax increases.

The Board of Trade is looking forward to the consultation process and encourages citizens to participate in the public sessions.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Saint John Board of Trade Retail Forum encourages Saint John consumers to consider the Hidden Costs to Cross Border Shopping

SAINT JOHN, NB – Members of the Saint John Board of Trade’s Retail Forum are asking consumers in Saint John to think carefully about the issue of cross-border shopping. The recent value of the Canadian dollar has led to a large increase in shopping trips across the border. The Retail Forum recognizes many consumers are attracted by the excitement of all the ‘bargains’ across the border or on-line. However there are costs to cross-border shopping and they should be considered.

Daryl Wilson, Retail Forum Chair says, “Beyond the costs of meals, gas and accommodations there is the cost of time, with some of the closest shopping involving at least 6 hours of driving time. And then there is the wait time at the border.” Consumers must also consider the ability to make exchanges and the applicability of warranties on goods purchased stateside.

The Retail Forum also asks consumers to think about your local retailers. Whether they are locally owned or National chains, all of them are trying to react as quickly as they can to a very difficult situation. They are being asked to discount their products, and yet are still expected to pay their employees (often our sons and daughters in part-time positions), taxes, rent, heat and hydro, give to charities, and sponsor teams and special events.

And finally the Retail Forum asks that consumers consider the impact on the environment of driving for six hours and idling at the border for several more.

The Saint John Board of Trade is dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organization and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.

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For more information contact:

Imelda Gilman, President
Saint John Board of Trade
Tel: (506) 634-4157

Daryl Wilson, Retail Forum Chair
Saint John Board of Trade
Tel: (506) 633-1500

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Outstanding Business Achievemnet Awards Recipients Announced

The Saint John Board of Trade has announced the recipients of its 2007 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. At its 23rd awards dinner, Maritime Rescue and Medical Inc. was honoured with the award for Emerging Enterprise, and Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Inc. accepted the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award. In the Business Excellence category, the award went to East Point Inc.

The Board of Trade also presented silver and bronze awards. In the Emerging Enterprise category, the silver award was presented to Avant Garde Construction and Management Inc. In the Entrepreneurial Achievement award category, silver was awarded to Galbraith Florists. The silver award in the Business Excellence category was given to AnyWare Group, with bronze awarded to Fundy Linen Service Inc.

In the Emerging Enterprise category, Maritime Rescue and Medical Inc. took top honours.
Maritime Rescue and Medical was carved out of a larger company that was offering Red Cross training programs in the local area when, in November 2003, Michael Currie, a trained paramedic, and Scott O'Brien bought out that aspect of the business which they were already operating. The young partners continued to offer Red Cross training programs from their homes but, in making sales calls on business and industry, soon learned that there was a pressing need for additional training services in specific areas such as confined space rescue technicians and high angle rescue training. These services are highly technical, governed under the Workplace Health and Safety Commission and, at the time, were only offered by out-of-province firms.

After extensive research, the partners decided to get into the field of industrial safety training and brought in an Ontario firm to train its first 15 people as Confined Space Rescue Technicians. Maritime Rescue was now in the business of Industrial Rescue training and opened its first office. The client list grew rapidly and requests began to come in to provide additional services.

A contract at the LNG site led to the hiring of paramedics and the purchase of an ambulance. Contracts for Confined Space Rescue technicians in Newfoundland and for high angle rescue training for Fire Departments in New Brunswick led to more rapid expansion, new larger offices, a physician consultant and a Mobile Confined Space Training Simulator, the only one in the province.

Employees now number five full time and 40 part time, with the Saint John staff the backbone of the company, involved from the initial call through scheduling, site set up and working the site, no matter where the job is located. Maritime Rescue is now the number one company in its field in Saint John.

The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance was established in 1994 by Barb Stanley and Alyson Townsend, both lawyers at Fundy Cable, as a "union" of independent cable operators to improve their bargaining position with the large television programming distributors.

Interest from small cable operators across Canada was immediate but CCSA's first task was to convince the rapidly consolidating media companies to deal with it rather than with the individual operators. Understanding that being the single payment source for programming wholesale fees would give it more clout, CCSA made participation in its automated payment system a condition of membership. While few distributors would deal with CCSA for the first few years, by providing value to members and suppliers alike, CCSA gradually grew its credibility and its volume-based purchasing business. The result was substantially lower costs for small operators across Canada.

Recognizing the value to all parties of its collection/payment services, CCSA took the bold step of charging signal suppliers a contract administration fee. That fee helps defray CCSA's operating expenses and reduce members? annual dues. CCSA also established a hardware purchasing business and now manages contracts for virtually all hardware items regularly used by small cable systems. With the rapid technological change expected in the industry, CCSA anticipates additional opportunities from emerging communications platforms and services.

When the 50 year old Canadian Cable Television Association dissolved in 2006, CCSA quickly stepped into its role of regulatory advocate and lobbyist for Canada?s independent cable companies, playing a major role at CRTC hearings and winning several regulatory changes in favor of the small cable operators.

CCSA's current team of 14 full time employees has strong business and family roots in the Greater Saint John area. Though the business has grown exponentially, it plans to maintain its headquarters here for the foreseeable future.

East Point Inc. believes that retail shopping is all about the experience and creating that unique experience is what East Point Shopping is all about.

East Point Shopping is the vision of local developer Troy Northrup. His goal was to create an open air retail centre in one of the most visible areas in Saint John. This has positioned Saint John as a major retail and commerce centre and as a retail destination of choice for both residents and visitors. East Point wants to continue to play a pivotal role in helping transform Saint John from a drive-by city, to a drive-in city.

Home Depot was the first major retailer at the site and serves as an anchor for the development. Many exciting new fashion retailers are now open for business. And so is Saint John's first new hotel in nearly 20 years, the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton. Under construction are New Brunswick's first free-standing Starbucks and the province?s first Indigo Books & Music store with its award winning building design.

Construction extends beyond the actual development. The public/private partnership between the City of Saint John and East Point Inc. resulted in Retail Drive, a new, four-lane connector between Rothesay Avenue and Westmorland Road. This provides service to East Point Shopping and much needed access between two of the city's busiest roadways.

East Point is also committed to protecting the environment. A unique water retention basin was constructed beneath the parking area to manage storm water run-off from the site, a design first for Atlantic Canada. The development includes an abundance of treed green spaces, energy control systems for lighting and heating, a retailer recycling program and many other environmental features.

East Point sees quality retail services not as a luxury, but as an essential community service ? essential in supporting the True Growth initiatives of our region.

This year's recipient of the "Young Entrepreneur" award is Ji Li of HugoLee International Trade Ltd.. This award recognizes young business leaders (30 years and under) just beginning to make their mark.

The Board of Trade presented this evening for the fifth year "The Big Heart" Award. The recipient of this award is The Carpenters Training Centre of NB Inc.

Also this evening, Board of Trade Chair, Nathalie Godbout presented The Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative Inc. with the Chair's Award. This marks the fourteenth year in which a deserving individual or organization has been selected by the Board's Chairperson for their achievements within, and contributions to, the community.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Saint John Board of Trade encouraged by Minister Doherty's Statement

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased with the Minister of Post-Secondary Education Ed Doherty’s statement yesterday that there will always be a university in Saint John.

“We are encouraged by this statement from Minister Doherty, and are confident the provincial government will continue to seek out the best model for post-secondary education in Saint John and the province,” said Nathalie Godbout, Chair of the Saint John Board of Trade.

The Board is also encouraged by the province’s plan to bring together university presidents and community college principals to form a working group to develop an integrated governance plan and fast-track the process. This is a necessary step to develop a post-secondary solution which involves a nationally accredited university for greater Saint John and an enhanced community college. “This comprehensive review of Post-Secondary Education in New Brunswick was an important step, and consultation with university presidents and community college principals will simply add to the dialogue and the knowledge base to make informed decisions on this issue,” said Godbout.

“Saint John is experiencing a time of tremendous economic growth, we need an accessible, innovative, quality post-secondary framework to reinforce and retain workforce development right here in our city,” said Godbout.

The Board has publicly supported the need for Saint John to maintain at least two high-quality, accessible institutions with direct provincial funding in a common area offering a full range of degree and diploma programs, while maintaining the UNB brand resulting in a centre of excellence for Saint John. “Education is our future. We feel the province is moving in the right direction by making a commitment to a university in Saint John and calling on stakeholders to accomplish the best possible post-secondary solution for Saint John and the Province.” said Godbout.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

"SAINT JOHN MUST HAVE OUR UNIVERSITY" SAYS SAINT JOHN BOARD OF TRADE

Since mid-September, the recommendations from the Commission on Post-Secondary Education have been the number one water cooler discussion item in Saint John.

For the last three weeks, the Saint John Board of Trade has focused on gathering information and vigilantly reviewing and debating the contents of the PSE Report with its membership and community stakeholders. Reactions from members have ranged from outrage at the idea of dismantling UNBSJ in favour of a Polytechnic, to optimism regarding the overdue enhancement of the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John.

“With every challenge comes an opportunity. There is certainly agreement that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Now is the time for bold ideas, for Greater Saint John to be the author of a solution that will ensure the creation of a “Centre of Excellence”. We must take charge, and let our provincial government know what Greater Saint John is prepared to champion as a solution for post-secondary education,” said Nathalie Godbout.

The Board has determined through an ongoing consultation process that there are many areas where consensus has been reached:

- The existing post-secondary education framework in our region needs serious improvement.

- Saint John must have a university, including full access to a four-year business and liberal arts education. Our university will not be replaced by a polytechnic. Instead, we should be building capacity.

- There are significant advantages to co-locating NBCC-Saint John and UNBSJ in a common area. Specifically, those benefits include the sharing of infrastructure such as libraries, student residences, student-life facilities, and the ability of faculty to teach at both institutions.

- We need better access to programs, credit transferability and advanced training in related disciplines from both institutions.

- Saint John must create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in areas critical to the growth of the community, namely Energy/Advanced Manufacturing, IT and Health Sciences.

- More investment in post-secondary education is crucial.

After careful consideration and tremendous feedback from Board of Trade members and the community at large, the Board of Trade supports a post-secondary solution based on a model that meets the needs of our students and the strengths of both NBCC-Saint John and UNBSJ. This would involve:

- Co-location of both institutions in a common area, which could certainly be Tucker Park;

- Both institutions would maintain their existing identities reporting to an appropriate management body, which would receive direct funding from the provincial government;

- A full range of degree and diploma programs, including Masters and Doctorate studies, with emphasis on Energy/Advanced Manufacturing, IT and Health Sciences;

- The importance of the UNB brand and its recognition as a nationally accredited university would be maintained with the new Saint John campus.

The result is a Centre of Excellence, comprised of at least two high-quality, accessible institutions with direct provincial funding in a common area offering a full range of degree and diploma programs, while maintaining the UNB brand. This is a modernization of an existing model in Saint John, designed to improve access to post-secondary education and meet our existing need for a well-trained workforce. The Board urges all community stakeholders to continue the dialogue and craft a response that meets the needs of the Greater Saint John community as a whole.

“Education is our future. It speaks to workforce, to health, to literacy, to community, to family. The growth of this region is dependent on education. The uncertainty around this issue cannot be permitted to continue. Our students, our faculty, and families in this region deserve a strong voice and a timely solution. Let’s go to our government with one voice and one solution.”

Monday, June 25, 2007

Saint John Board of Trade’s "Top 3" Transportation Priorities addressed by PM’s Transportation Announcement

SAINT JOHN, NB: Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced work is beginning on six highway projects across New Brunswick. These are part of the $207 million in federal funding set aside over the next ten years to cost-share with the province to improve National Highway System routes.

The number one transportation priority for the Saint John Board of Trade since 2002 has been the completion of the One Mile Highway Interchange.

“Today is a tremendous boost to transportation infrastructure for the City of Saint John. The completion of the One Mile Interchange will take truck traffic off our downtown streets and channel it directly to our industrial areas creating a more positive uptown experience for tourism, boosting our industrial parks and reducing wear and tear on our city streets,” said
Board of Trade, Chair Nathalie Godbout.

The Interchange has long been advocated by the Saint John Board of Trade as a crucial piece of transportation infrastructure for Saint John as it will allow the city to better leverage investments and opportunities for new investments to the energy sector and enhance the development and growth of the Green Industrial Park, Bayside Drive properties and both the Grandview & McAllister Industrial Parks. With Saint John positioned at the geographic centre of Atlantica it is vital our highway infrastructure be improved to allow our region to compete on a global scale.

“The federal re-investment announcement in New Brunswick’s highway system will bolster stronger trade routes and position our province as not only open for business but accessible and efficient,” said Godbout.

The Saint John Board of Trade has long advocated the twinning of Highway 1 therefore the announcement of the 24 km stretch of road between Pennfield and Lepreau is a positive step toward strengthening our bilateral economic access to New England.

“Another key priority for board members”, said Godbout, “is the completion of the Welsford Bypass which was also announced. Quite honestly it feels like Christmas came in June this year for our business community."