Charlottetown Area Development Corporation reinstates private sector board

The P.E.I. government is reinstating private sector board members for the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation after theprovince replaced those positions with government and municipal representatives in 2018.

A revitalized CADC will encompass projects in Stratford. Cornwall,was also offered positions on the board, but declined. The province said discussions with Cornwall will continue, and the town said it is still looking at the possibility of joining.

"We look forward to working with our municipal and provincial partners to continue to grow the economy of Stratford and the whole capital region," said Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden in a news release.

Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown also showed his appreciation of the move.

"The betterment for the whole community not just one sector not just the one percent or not the middle class it's for all classes," he said.

A 10-person board will have seven members made up from the business community representingthe province, two from Charlottetown and one from Stratford. Those will all be chosen by an application process.

The previous Liberal government said in 2017 it was shutting down CADC and replacing it with a regional economic advisory council, which would be one of a number around the province.

Staff at CADC were still continuing to work on projects, but on a much smaller scale.

In the spring, the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Charlottetown Inc. said economic development activities in the capital region did need to take into account a larger area. Friday, the CEO of the chamber said she was happy with the move.

"I think what it means for the future is really that we'll continue to see that momentum and that opportunities as they arise we'll be able to be pursued," said Penny Walsh-MacGuire.

"Government's decision is to be commended as is the the work of the management and staff at CADC."

After forming a new government following theelection in April, Premier Dennis King said he was meeting with the mayors of the three capital-area municipalities to discuss a new plan for regional economic development.

CADC was established in 1974.

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