GUYSBOROUGH — The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) council has rejected a proposal to build a new business centre in the shiretown of Guysborough, a project that had been proposed to consolidate office space, support local enterprises and bolster the tourism sector.
Marked by intense deliberations, the 5-3 vote at the committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 5 effectively ended months of debate over the “signature project.” The plan was based on recommendations from a strategic report by community development consultant Doug Griffiths more than one year ago.
“We can have all the large developments in the world but, if we don’t have facilities and services for people to come and live and stay here, we’re not going to be able to keep those people,” Long previously told The Journal.
However, the majority of councillors felt the project was premature and carried risks to existing businesses in the area.
‘We keep losing what we have’
Emphasizing the importance of supporting current businesses before building new facilities, District 6 Councillor Susan Cashin was one of the most vocal critics of the plan last week. “We have many offices in the [shiretown] mall at this time, and I don’t see a need for more,” she said at council. “I do see a need for more food establishments – definitely a restaurant and maybe a pub. Over the years, we’ve had many food establishments. We keep losing what we have ... Maybe we need to support the local economy more, and maybe they would stay in our areas.”
Cashin pointed to the loss of several key services, including the Registry of Deeds, Family and Children’s Services and Canada Post offices. “We’re losing a lot,” she warned. “Why are these restaurants and businesses closing? We need to focus on keeping what we have.”
District 4 Councillor Dave Hanhams echoed Cashin’s sentiments, noting that other solutions were needed to fill gaps in the community. “I’ve been talking to some residents in my district,” he said. “There are gaps we need to look at – like food establishments – but I don’t think this building is needed to solve those gaps. I think there are other things we can do.”
‘We have to be visionaries’
Supporters of the project argued that the business centre was crucial for growth. District 2 Councillor Mary Desmond expressed optimism about the municipality’s potential to attract new residents and businesses, especially with upcoming economic developments such as the EverWind Fuels’ wind farm project.
“We have to be visionaries,” Desmond said. “We’re going to have new people coming in... We’re going to have to expand. We need to be ready. We’re going to need restaurants, clothing stores, office spaces and support for non-profits.”
Desmond emphasized that the centre was not about taking away from existing businesses, but adding to the community’s infrastructure. “I’m dead set against taking away from our founders,” she said. “But, we can’t sit still. We have to be ahead of the curve.”
Warden Long (District 1) backed Desmond’s stance, highlighting letters of support from local business groups and potential proponents. “This is about growing the core area,” he said. “It’s the rock in the pond, and the ripples grow outward. We’ve been getting calls all the time about the need for more office space. This project could bring together non-profits and small business development groups to work on growing the area.”
‘Ticks a lot of boxes’
The proposal had already faced multiple delays before the Feb. 5 vote. In meetings held on Dec. 4 and Jan. 8, councillors opted to postpone a decision, citing the need for more time to assess the project’s merits. At that time, District 4 Councillor Hanhams explained, “The reason why I voted to keep it on the table is so that we can discuss it again. It’s not gone – it’s still something we can do at a future date.”
A briefing note from CAO Barry Carroll stated that the project “ticks a lot of boxes to help build our community going forward” and emphasized the centre’s role in consolidating government and economic development agencies, as well as providing a base for not-for-profit organizations that struggle to find adequate facilities.
‘We need to move forward together’
Acknowledging the importance of collaboration at last week’s vote, Long cautioned against infighting over municipal resources. “People choose which way to vote, and that’s fine,” he said. “But, going forward, we don’t want to start keeping score on where things are built. That’s not healthy for the municipality at all ... Do I think it would have worked? Yes. But now we move on to the next best thing we can do as a municipality.”
Said Cashin: “People are coming here because it’s a great place to live and work. We have schools, hospitals, arenas and a strong community. Let’s focus on what we already have and keep it thriving.”
Had council approved the project, it would have been funded through contributions from all three levels of government. The MODG has already invested approximately $100,000, paying Halifax-based firm ATN Strategies to develop the concept.
