A+ for development agency

The agency must complete a performance review each year and its rating can affect funding, says ADEDA managing director Mike Gushue.

Having received an ‘exceeds expectations’ rating, “the good news is we don’t lose funding and can apply for additional funding,” Gushue said.

The evaluation is also a testimonial that staff, board members and the community are all focusing on the same issues, he added. “We got, I think, a fairly strong endorsement of having a business plan we stuck to and that we were focused on business issues,” he said Gushue. “One being in renewable energy, we identified biomass and wood as an energy source, so we did our research and found that we had the resource here and developed a marketing plan.”

The same thing was accomplished with Cruise Fundy Group for marketing the Annapolis Basin and the port of Digby as a place to cruise, he said.

ADEDA is also working with mink breeders on a project that could have a great benefit in terms of waste management. “One area we did get particularly acknowledged with was business retention and expansion. That’s where we provide help and assistance to small businesses on a one-on-one basis,” Gushue said. “We’re pleased with that.”

ADEDA was also given credit for playing a role in bringing people together on larger issues such as Digby ferry service, he added.