A written review of the Hants RDA's 2008-2009 fiscal year. Presented at the annual general meeting on June 4, 2009 in the Mount Uniacke Fire Hall.

1. Connect
Hants RDA
Annual Review
2008 - 2009

2. CHAIR’S M
C MESSAGE
E
This
T year was a turning-poi for the Han RDA. In my first year as C
int nts y Chair, I saw
the
t incredible dedication o our staff and volunteer directors as the Hants RDA
e of d e
reinvented its I would pa
r self. articularly like to thank the staff for a job well done
e b
over the past 12 months.
o
This
T year will be remember for a globa recession w
red al which has affeccted the
careers of ove 200 Hants C
c er County residen But I hope it will also be
nts. e e
remembered locally for the way the Hants RDA has ste
r e epped up to b become
aggressive on economic de
a n evelopment.
The
T Hants RDA is a strong ““tool in the too
olbox” for Han County’s b
nts businesses,
community groups, munici
c ipalities, and f provincial/
for /federal depar
rtments.
Those who make use of the RDA’s services, and partne with the RD on projects
T e er DA s,
are
a seeing the incredible va
e alue this organnization can d
deliver.
Together, as a region, we ca make great progress ove the coming year. We can
T an er g n
pull
p out of this recession an ride the eco
nd onomic growt that will fol
th llow. The
challenges will be to increa partnership and maintain focus on th real
c ase he
priorities. I encourage all ou partners to recognize wh incredible things we
p ur hat
can
c achieve b working eve more close together.
by en ely
EXECUTIV DIRECT
VE TOR’S ME
ESSAGE
The
T past year has seen sign nificant changes at the Hant RDA. Under the
ts r
leadership of our 12 volunt
teer directors, we have ignit a new pur
ted rpose for our
organization: as a connecto supporting a web of part
o or tners and clien This
nts.
purpose is no expressed t
p ow through four c core service areas: Regiona Promotion,
al
Business Deveelopment, Community Dev velopment, an Advocacy. T
nd Thanks to
extensive plan
e nning and har work over t past 2 years, the Hants R
rd the RDA has
become the h
b high-performa ance organization our regio needs right now.
on t
Like other par of Nova Sco and Cana
rts otia ada, the Hants County econ
s nomy is
currently expe
c eriencing a do ownturn. Leadding employers have been f forced to lay-
off
o workers, or temporarily shut down pr roduction in o
order to remain
competitive. Since Decemb we have b
c ber, been working with our part
g tners and
clients to resp
c pond. Yet, in spite of the glo
obal slowdown and its significant local
impacts, the r
i region is still e
experiencing s
successes that deserve to be celebrated.
t
We
W are particu ularly proud to share the su
uccess stories of two Hants RDA clients in
n
this
t report. Dr Abbey Kirum
r. mira’s Biomedica Diagnostic Systems, and Wallace
c d
Point Fjords run by Kathy MMonroe and Nancy Barmore are testaments to Hants
e,
County’s pote
C ential. Our ma clients and partners are having an incredible
any d e
impact on the region’s pros
i e sperity. Thank you to all tho businesses, community
k ose y
groups, gover
g rnments and i individuals wh have asked us to be a pa of their
ho d art
success this ye
s ear.
I am proud of the Hants RD achievements over 200
f DA’s 08-2009. And I know that
we
w have neve been in a be
er etter position to deliver resu than we a now,
ults are
during the clim out of this recession.
d mb s
2 | Hants RDA Annua Review 2008-20
H al 009

3. THE HANTS RDA
The Hants Regional Development Authority is a forward-
looking organization established to support and advance
community economic development in Hants County.
From its offices in Windsor and Elmsdale, the Hants RDA
works with businesses, community groups and all three
levels of government to champion the interests of Hants
County locally, regionally and internationally.
The Hants RDA is one of 13 Regional Development
Authorities in Nova Scotia. It was incorporated in 1997
under the Regional Community Development Act at the
request of the four municipal governments in Hants
STAFF
County. Governed by a volunteer board of directors, we
receive funding from the municipalities of East Hants and Front row seated (L to R): Jane Crosby, BA, FTT (Assistant
Development Officer); Viorica Sporea, BA, CITP (Regional
West Hants; the Towns of Windsor and Hantsport; the
Promotion Officer); Chantelle Marshall, BA (Operations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; and the provincial Manager); Rebecca Turner (Administrative Assistant).
departments of Economic & Rural Development and
Community Services. Back row standing (L to R): Pat Gould-Thorpe, BSc, BEng
(Community Development Officer); Ryan MacNeil, BBA,
Our key task is to develop and implement a regional MAES (Executive Director); Wendy Aird, BA, MBA
strategy. The current strategy, “Connected. 2008-2011.”, (Business Retention & Expansion Officer).
was developed in 2008 through extensive public and
stakeholder consultation. It focuses the Hants RDA on
“making the connections that help Hants County achieve
sustainable prosperity.” To this end, we connect new
tourists, residents and entrepreneurs to Hants County
through Regional Promotion. We connect our clients to
new skills and resources through Community
Development and Business Development. And we
connect Hants County to outside decision makers through
Advocacy.
The Hants RDA is committed to transparency and
accountability. We are an ISO 9001:2000 registered
organization, which means that we have adopted policies
and procedures that meet international standards for BOARD OF DIRECTORS
continuous quality improvement. Our ISO registration is Front row (L to R): Beth Caldwell (Industry, West Hants),
maintained through an annual external audit. In October Ryan MacNeil (Executive Director), Chair Rick Gaudet
2008, we introduced our first quarterly “performance (Councillor, West Hants), Treasurer Laurie Murley
scorecard”. These new quarterly reports build upon our (Deputy Mayor, Windsor)
ISO system to provide the board, funders, and
stakeholders with reliable and balanced information on Back row (L to R): Shannon Cunningham (Councillor,
Hantsport), John Patterson (Warden, East Hants), Roger
the organization’s performance. The Hants RDA is the first
Gerrard (Board Advisor, NSERD), Creelman MacArthur
RDA in Nova Scotia to report performance on a quarterly (Small Business, West Hants)
basis.
Missing from photo: Vice-Chair Jim Smith (Education,
Hants East), Mike Bishop (Natural Resources, Hants West),
John Bregante (Tourism, Hants West), Gordon Dickie
(Natural Resources, Hants East), Beth McNeill (Small
Business, Hants East), Brian Banks (Board Advisor, ACOA),
Wendy Keen (Board Advisor, DCS).
Hants RDA Annual Review 2008-2009 | 3

4. Regional Promotion Business Development
Welcomed Kathy Monroe and Provided business retention &
Nancy Barmore (USA), Neal and expansion support to 21 businesses,
Elizabeth White (USA), and Anthony including 57 referrals to partners
Kawalski and Jonathan Twinley (UK) and colleagues.
to Hants County under the Nova
Reached an agreement with the
Scotia Nominee Program.
Municipality of East Hants for
Immigration nominee Dr. Jeremy cooperation on Business Retention
Mission Statement Lee’s company (Sustainable Fish and Expansion in East Hants.
Farming Canada) completed the
Helped a local company secure a
"To make the connections that help Hants first phase of construction at its
County achieve sustainable prosperity." significant business deal with a
aquaculture facility in Centre
Japanese multinational, through
Burlington.
the BR+E program and the support
Vision Statement Formed the “Halifax International of many partners.
Marketing Alliance” in partnership
Provided four workshops titled, “So
"Sustainable prosperity with Greater Halifax Partnership,
for Hants County." You Want to Start a Business”
Colchester RDA, Kings CED Agency,
throughout the year. Sixty
and Lunenburg-Queens RDA.
individuals participated and learned
Values Statement Completed the “Hants County how to start a business in Hants
Tourism Strategic Action Plan” County.
"We value genuine progress that connects through consultants at the
social/cultural diversity and environmental Piloted a small business coaching
Economic Planning Group of
stewardship with economic growth." program. Nine small business
Canada and funding from Hants
owners/managers each received
RDA, ACOA, and the Department of
three one-on-one coaching sessions
Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
from an Acadia University Business
Completed the “Hants County Professor.
Human Capital Analysis and Action
Co-hosted (with the West Hants
Plan” through consultants at Mount
Chamber of Commerce) the annual
Allison University’s Rural and Small
“shop local” Christmas fair at the
Town Programme.
Downtown Windsor Mall.
Partnered with Nova Scotia Business
Developed (through the Hants BR+E
Inc to complete an investment
Local Action Team) an action plan in
readiness assessment of Hants
response to the global economic
County.
slowdown, and a partnership
Printed 200 copies of the popular approach to supporting displaced
Cemetery Maps for the Destination workers.
Hants Shore Association.
Worked with the Job Resource
Collected 50 resumes for an NSBI Centre to organize job loss
client considering business in the workshops in response to layoffs in
Elmsdale area. Hants West.
Provided sponsorship and
administrative support to the “East
Hants Tourism Forum”, hosted by
the municipality on February 26.
Sponsored the Central Nova
Tourism Conference in Truro and
spoke about Hants County Tourism
during the luncheon.
4 | Hants RDA Annual Review 2008-2009

5. Community Development Advocacy
Helped the Windsor Day Care Secured $15,000 in funding from The Hants RDA and all four
secure $675,000 in funding for a the Department of Tourism municipal councils wrote to the
major expansion. (Heritage Division) for phase one of Premier regarding the importance
the Planters 250th Anniversary of continued railway service from
Helped the Windsor Business project. Halifax to Hantsport. Deputy
Enhancement Society secure a
Helped “Hockeyland” plan a public Premier Angus MacIssac replied that
grant for its waterfront summer
meeting in Windsor to discuss the government is aware of the issue
concert series.
facility’s future location. and sees connections to the Atlantic
Provided local support for the Gateway Project.
province’s Broadband for Rural Helped the Walton & Area
Development Association secure Wrote to Minister Peter MacKay
Nova Scotia project, including
funding from the Municipality of regarding decision-making delays
presentations in Windsor and
East Hants, Nova Scotia Economic at ACOA.
Elmsdale for municipal councilors
and staff. Development, and the Atlantic Ryan MacNeil was selected to chair
Canada Opportunities Agency and the planning committee for a joint
Facilitated a meeting of the “Fort then use this funding to complete a “Population Policy Forum” between
Edward Committee”, resulting in a “Walton & Area Development Plan”. the province’s RDAs, Chambers of
short-term action plan to pursue
Wrote a newspaper article on Commerce, and UNSM.
development at the National
Historic Site. securing summer student funding Provided support and advice to
and provided advice to a number of consultants working on a report to
Hosted a Downtown Revitalization community groups on their funding prevent the closure of Hantsport
discussion (with the Town of applications for 2009. School.
Windsor, WBES and WHCC),
followed by an “Inspiration and Developed a Summary of Non- Co-hosted a presentation on the
Action Session” for key stakeholders profit Funding programs available Bay of Fundy Tidal Energy Project
in Windsor’s “Downtown & in 2009 and distributed the with the Hantsport & Area Business
Waterfront Revitalization” on document in print as well as on the Association and Minas Basin Pulp &
February 9. hantscounty.com website. Power.
Supported KSEED’s successful 2nd Helped the Brooklyn Civic Centre Participated in the provincial
Annual 84th Regiment submit a funding proposal to the government’s “Let’s Talk Tourism”
Homecoming. Atlantic Canada Opportunities session in Windsor, and raised the
Agency. issues of road conditions on the
Helped KSEED access funding for
Through the Windsor Community Hants Shore and the need for a Bay
the 225th Anniversary of the
Inclusion Committee helped of Fundy Tourism Plan.
Founding of Douglas Township
being held in Kennetcook. connect people with disabilities to Helped organize an announcement
community activities. in Elmsdale by Premier MacDonald
Participated in a visit by Premier
Helped The Place Near and Far Art and Minister Scott regarding the
Rodney MacDonald to the
Gallery secure funding to host an art Nova Scotia Industrial Expansion
Shubenacadie Tin Smith Shop
competition to stimulate awareness Fund.
Museum.
of East Hants communities and Ran a local public relations
The Cheverie Salt Marsh Restoration history. campaign to provide information
Site completed its interpretive
Assisted with the initiation of the about Hants County and the
centre plan and initial trail
Community Halls Cooperation economic slowdown.
construction.
Project which has resulted in
The Hants County Arts Council cooperative projects and joint
hosted its second Annual “Festival marketing for participating halls.
of Art”.
Began partnership discussions with
the Shubenacadie Canal
Commission toward long-term
tourism and business development
along the Hants County section of
the Canal system.
Hants RDA Annual Review 2008-2009 | 5

6. Client Stories
On behalf of the Board, I wanted to
give a big thanks for all your help and
contributions to our cause. We
couldn’t have done it without you!
- Shelley Bibby,
Windsor Day Care
Dr. Abdullah Kirumira,
CEO, BioMedica
Diagnotic Systems
Photo by Oliver Childs for
Extremely satisfied and grateful for the Hants RDA.
their assistance which has benefitted
us by allowing us to access The Robin Hood of Canada’s biotech industry
government programs that we might
not have otherwise known about. Ugandan-born scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Dr. Abdullah Kirumira has
developed a cutting edge business model that takes from the rich and gives to
- Anonymous feedback the poor. And in his case, it’s proving to be more than just a sophisticated way
from a BRE client survey. to redistribute income – it’s an award-winning strategy.
Since fleeing Uganda in the 1970s, Dr. Kirumira, 53, dreamed of providing
The depth of resources provided by affordable health care in Africa, where he estimates accurate diagnosis could cut
the RDA through Pat Gould-Thorpe mortality rates by as much as 25%. Dr. Kirumira’s company, BioMedica
was exceptional. Diagnostic Systems, now uses the proceeds from international sales of reagents
that diagnose heart disease and thrombosis, to offset the R&D costs of his “lab in
- Lee Hennigar, Kennetcook a box” technology. The portable labs are being sold throughout Africa, the
Society for Economic and Caribbean and Latin America, through bodies like the World Health
Environmental Dev. Organization.
In January, Dr. Kirumira won the prestigious Technology Pioneer Award from the
Excellent service and a real sense of World Economic Forum for “successfully using technology innovation…to
caring for our business. Keep up the bridge the north to south economic disparity.” The award was his second major
good work. international prize in as many years - in 2007 he won a Bioscience Innovation
Award from The Economist magazine for his 1993 invention of the world’s first
- Anonymous feedback rapid acting HIV test, which is currently sold internationally.
from a BRE client survey.
Through its Business Retention and Expansion Program (BR+E) the Hants RDA
has helped BioMedica tap into international demand. While Dr. Kirumira focused
Hants RDA staff have given us great on developing his cutting edge research and technology, the Hants RDA helped
help with our revitalization of our promote his company to national and international audiences. In addition, the
waterfrontage. RDA helped to arrange networking opportunities with international visitors to
Nova Scotia, all of which has led to exciting new business opportunities.
- Gerta Hudson, Walton &
Area Development “Two of the projects Wendy has completed for BioMedica, in its effort to
Association internationalize our business are beyond reproach,” says Dr. Kirumira. “The
professionalism and timely turn around are particularly commendable.”
“The Hants RDA’s BR+E program helps foster an environment where companies
like BioMedica can stay in Nova Scotia and compete around the world,” says
executive director Ryan MacNeil. “It’s an example of sustainable development at
its best.”
6 | Hants RDA Annual Review 2008-2009

7. Partners
The Hants RDA's strategic plan,
"Connected." recognizes the vital
role of partnership in achieving
sustainable prosperity for our
region. To this end we have made
"partnership strength" one of the
key performance indicators in our
balanced scorecard.
“Ready To Go” by Ed In September we conducted our
Mattie, commissioned by first annual survey to gauge the
NovaFjords and currently
showing at UTATA
strength of our partnerships and
Gallery, Windsor. identify ways to strengthen our
network. The headline result was
Chomping at the Bit 3.9 points out of 5.0 on partnership
strength.
Until recently, Kathy Monroe was the hard-driving CEO of an electronic banking
company based in south-western Wisconsin. But a 2002 trip to a Nova Scotia Thank you to the many
organizations that collaborated
horse farm turned her formidable focus east. Monroe and her partner Nancy
with us this year:
Barmore traveled to Antigonish to learn techniques for carriage-driving with
their favourite breed of horses: Norwegian Fjords. Norwegian Fjord horses are − ACOA
ideally suited to Nova Scotia’s hardy climate. And over the course of several trips − Acadia Centre for Social & Business
to the province, Monroe and Barmore discovered Nova Scotia suited them Entrepreneurship
equally as well. − Annapolis Digby Economic
Development Agency
− Bay of Fundy Tourism Partnership
There was just one problem: neither Monroe nor Barmore were landed − CBDC Hants-Kings
immigrants yet, and the process could mean years in waiting. Things changed − Central Nova Tourism Association
when federal MP Scott Brison suggested the couple approach the Hants RDA for − Colchester RDA
assistance. After evaluating Monroe’s plans and experience, executive director − Centre for Women in Business
− Dept. of Community Services
Ryan MacNeil wrote a letter of recommendation in support of their landing
− Dept of Foreign Affairs &
papers, which helped speed up the immigration process significantly. International Trade
− Destination Southwest Nova
“The Hants RDA put us on a faster track which has allowed us to make this vision − Dept. of Health Promotion
a reality far sooner than we could have otherwise,” says Monroe. With this − Dept. of Labour & Workforce
assistance, their immigration was approved in a remarkable seven months. Development
− Dept. of Tourism, Culture &
Heritage
“Immigrants bring new ideas and fresh thinking to rural communities,” says − East Hants & District Chamber of
MacNeil. “Our community will benefit from the expertise, job creation and Commerce
know-how Kathy Monroe can bring to our area.” − FutureWorx Job Search Centre
− Greater Halifax Partnership
− Hantsport and Area Business
Five months after leaving the helm of a financial services company, Monroe’s Association
vision for Wallace Point Fjords (www.wallacepointfjords.com) is nearing reality. − Job Resource Centre
Construction on the horse farm, including a 60-foot covered round pen and − Kings CED Agency
supporting equine facility, will commence this summer. Here, Kathy and Nancy − Lunenburg Queens RDA
will breed Norwegian Fjords and sell them to customers throughout North − Municipality of East Hants
− Municipality of West Hants
America. They have already formed a cooperative with four local Norwegian
− Nova Scotia Association of CBDCs
Fjord breeders, and commissioned dozens of Hants County artists to produce − Nova Scotia Association of RDAs
Norwegian Fjord-inspired art, which is currently showcased at Windsor’s Utata − Nova Scotia Business Inc.
Gallery. This summer, they will also capitalize on Nova Scotia’s growing wine − Nova Scotia Community College
industry by planting a vineyard. But the former CEO warns she’s barely gotten − Nova Scotia Economic and Rural
started. Development
− Town of Hantsport
− Town of Windsor
“I’m so thrilled to be here – and so eager to get going.” − West Hants Chamber of Commerce
Hants RDA Annual Review 2008-2009 | 7

8. 1-877-284-2687
www.hantscounty.com
East Hants Resource Centre
Suite 200-1, 15 Commerce Court
Elmsdale, NS B2S 3K5
Fax: (902) 883-3024
Enterprise Centre of Hants County
Box 2313, 80 Water Street
Windsor, NS B0N 2T0
Fax: (902) 798-3254