Economic development fund should continue, says MLA

March 13, 2009

Continuing the Miramichi Regional Economic Development Fund would be a wise investment, says Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Bill Fraser.

The economic fund is set to expire at the end of April and Fraser said he has been lobbying his government to renew the program.

"My hope is that we can extend the fund and increase it."

Through the fund the province invested $24.2 million in projects around the Miramichi since 2004. There is still $800,000 remaining from its original $25 million budget.

Miramichi Centre MLA John Foran said the new northern initiative fund will be in place to help the region once the current fund expires.

"The fund we have is running out and there's a new fund in place. To say it's replacing it word for word I can't tell you that."

Without the money from the economic development fund the region would be worse off than it is, he said.

"It shows that our government is committed to this area and we're gonna stay committed to this area."

Miramichi Centre MLA Rick Brewer said several groups received funds in his riding, including the Central New Brunswick Woodsmen's Museum in Boiestown and the arena in Renous.

"To these service organizations it means a lot."

Although the money did help create jobs, they were seasonal Brewer said and added he had hoped to see more permanent jobs.

"We really need to attempt to target new industry for our area and that would create permanent, full-time jobs."

Fraser said the northern initiative was good, but they need one specifically for the Miramichi.

"My feeling as the MLA for Miramichi is that we need to ensure the Miramichi has a fund as well."

But it's too early to tell if the province will extend the fund, he said.

"We won't know anything until budget day."

Fraser said the fund invested in businesses like Atcon and Dew Engineering and helped create jobs.

"All of those are long term sustainable jobs that are going to be important to our region."

The fund helped business get access to money so they could expand or create new opportunities in the Miramichi, he said.

"I think it was a great economic tool to have and I really want to see it continue."

Although Brewer said he hopes there will be something in place to help the area, but he didn't know what Finance Minister Victor Boudreau's plans are.

"I'm hoping that there will be some kind of fund that we can access."