Opposition MLA questions commitment to rural businesses

Bedeque, and its surrounding areas, has one less resource for small businesses these days.

Unfortunately, funding for the Rural Action Centre (RAC) was not renewed on Sept. 30, said Gordon Coffin, chair of the Central Development Corporation (CDC).

He’s written to the province about the closure but hasn’t heard back.

The RAC operated alongside the CDC. Both were located in the William (Wm.) Callbeck Centre in Central Bedeque. Currently, the CDC is operating as usual. The RAC offered a “one-stopshop” for small to medium businesses to offer support and training.

Jamie Fox, MLA for BordenCarleton says he “questions this government’s commitment to rural economic development.” Fox is worried small business owners will have to travel to Alberton to get the same services. He’s spoken to businesses in the area that relied on having the centre in the community.

“It was a service that they could count on and go to.”

He wants the decision stopped until a plan is formed to help for small businesses in the area, he said.

“If the premier is serious and he says he supports rural P.E.I., ...then where’s their commitment.”

The centre was well used over the years, said Coffin.

“The area we’ve served has been from Borden, Crapaud to Kensington to the North shore.” Keeping business services available in rural areas is key to the health of the province, he said.

“It’s something that is important to the community. There has to be a focus remain there because it’s too easy to be centralized. It’s where people live, it’s where people work, it’s very important to keep those components vital.”

Amie Swallow MacDonald is the director of the Department of Rural and Regional Development. She was involved in the decision for a joint review of the RACs followed by the development of a strategic plan.

After eight years they wanted to make sure the program was still meeting the needs of rural Islanders and that “resources were getting used the best they can be.”

The review found that Bedeque’s RAC had the fewest on-site resources and the least amount of foot-traffic, she said.

No jobs were lost in the closing of the Bedeque RAC because the staff who would have been laid off had already moved on. The department was actually having trouble hiring new people.

“We’re taking this time right now to finish the strategic plan and see where we’re going forward,” said Swallow MacDonald.