Work has begun for the board of directors of the new Western Regional Enterprise Network (WREN), which is looking for a chief executive officer.
The CEO will identify and foster business opportunities for regional economic growth and lead the development of the first strategic plan and ensure its successful implementation, says a WREN media release.
The firm Venor Search Group, which specializes in the recruitment of professionals and executives throughout Atlantic Canada, has been engaged to assist the board of directors in this process.
The WREN, which is supported by the municipalities of Argyle, Clare, Digby and Yarmouth and the towns of Digby and Yarmouth, as well as the province of Nova Scotia, has nine newly-appointed board members with business and economic leadership experience.
As well, the board is engaging consultants to complete an asset inventory, a community profile and an environmental scan of literature. These documents will assist the WREN in its economic development activities in western Nova Scotia.
“The region seems to have renewed optimism regarding its future,” says Allister Surette, WREN board chair. “The board is anxious to have the WREN incorporated and staffed to actively pursue economic development.”
The Western Regional Enterprise Network will guide and navigate economic development in the region, develop and execute a regional economic development strategy and support business retention, expansion, start-up and attraction. The WREN will be a resource for prospective economic development for the region and will work collaboratively with government and other organizations.
The directors of the WREN board are:
Dr. Michel Comeau, Craig Leblanc, Allister Surette (chair), David Saxton (vice-chair), Warner Comeau, Angela Thurber, Clark Sigfridson, Ronald Smith, David Arenburg.
