At least one mayor isn’t willing to quit on efforts for regional economic cooperation.
Town of Lunenburg Mayor Rachel Bailey says it’s premature to say the South Shore Regional Enterprise Network is at an end.
Early this week, councils in Chester and Queens both announced their intention to withdraw from the network.
This follows similar moves by other councils earlier this year.
Bailey says a year’s notice of intent must be provided to leave the REN.
“There’s a year, there’s time to negotiate, to work with the province, to talk to our partner municipalities.”
Bailey acknowledges the area the REN covered from Chester to Shelburne was likely too large.
But says the door is open to develop a network that would have a more local focus.
“If we leave a void, I think that would be problematic in rejuvenating a new form of regional economic development.”
Bailey says members have a year to come up with that new development plan.
