The Centre for Local Prosperity has issued the following press release:
Regional Economics Conference planned for April 2015
(Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia) March 2, 2015. It is widely known that small rural communities in Atlantic Canada are struggling. A regional conference has been organized to address these issues with fresh ideas. The conference is entitled “Local Prosperity: New Economics for Rural Canada” (localprosperity.ca), and is taking place April 9-12, 2015, in Annapolis County.
One of the organizers, Gregory Heming, an Annapolis County municipal councilor and President of the Centre for Local Prosperity, says, “Finding solutions to the increasing economic, social and ecological disintegration of small rural communities may seem difficult, but practical and achievable solutions are possible. There are many examples from which we can draw inspiration.”
Heming is part of a group of individuals from several Nova Scotia communities that have banded together to create the non-profit organization Centre for Local Prosperity, located in Annapolis County. The mission of the Centre is to assist rural Atlantic Canadian communities in initiating self-empowering projects and activities that result in the creation of more prosperous and enlightened communities.
Conference organizers have been keeping abreast of many new projects and ideas initiated in small communities in the region and elsewhere in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Robert Cervelli, a resident of St. Margarets Bay and one of the conference organizers, says many innovative communities have been successful in meeting the rural challenge. Cervelli says, “The conference will focus on how individuals, businesses and communities can design and then implement a future that is cooperative, compassionate and long-term. We intend to provide an innovative and full tool-box of ideas.”
The conference brings together more than 35 local, national, and international speakers with expertise in new models for community economic development.
Conference working sessions highlight innovative approaches, such as local investment in new community enterprises, shared community resources, community enterprise hubs, complementary currencies, innovative ways to rejuvenate a town’s “main street,” small farms as economic drivers, development of local food infrastructure, adding value to fisheries, rebuilding value from our forests, the importance of arts and culture economy, and new models of municipal governance.
The conference is being held in an innovative mix of venues in Annapolis County and the town of Annapolis Royal, including the Annapolis Royal Regional Academy, recently vacated and seeking a new purpose, and the successfully converted Pearson Peacekeeping Centre in Cornwallis now serving as the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre.
“The conference is intended for anyone inspired to revitalize their community,” says Heming, who goes on to list farmers, fishermen, foresters, community leaders, elected representatives, business and industry leaders, small business owners, students, start-up entrepreneurs, agency and association representatives, and local residents.
Organizers of the conference on rural economic development are encouraging early registration. For more information about the conference visit links below.
For more information, contact:
http://www.facebook.com/CentreForLocalProsperity
http://www.twitter.com/ProsperityLocal
Gregory Heming 902-955-1267 gregoryaheming@gmail.com
Robert Cervelli 902-222-4391 robert.cervelli@gmail.com
