Meeting Summary with Invest Nova Scotia

As part of their ongoing efforts to explore business opportunities in the Digby area, a group of key stakeholders gathered at the municipal office on Wednesday morning, April 12. The attendees included Mike Branchflower, Vice President of Invest Nova Scotia; Heather Hennigar, Investment Attraction Executive of Invest Nova Scotia; Terry Thibodeau, Renewable Energy Program Coordinator of the Municipality of Digby; Jeff Sunderland, Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality of Digby; Tyler Pulley, Manager of Municipal Services; and David M. Cvet, Director of the Digby Area Board of Trade.

The meeting followed a previous session where the Invest NS team had met with representatives of the ABCC and reviewed the property and assets at that location. After the meeting at the municipal office, David took the Invest NS team on a tour of the business park in Seabrook, followed by a highly informative tour of the Digby Municipal Airport to review its assets that could be leveraged or enhanced for potential business interests. The morning concluded with a productive business lunch at Soo Good restaurant on the #303.

During the discussions, there was a strong focus on sustainable energy and reducing the carbon footprint in the fishing industry. One of the key ideas explored was the possibility of leveraging hydrogen as an additive to diesel fuel consumed by fishing vessels, which could potentially lower costs and reduce the carbon emissions associated with diesel engines. Other points raised included the potential production and market of hydrogen to serve Nova Southwest, as well as the valley from a fertilizer perspective.

It is clear that there will be continued discussions regarding opportunities in the Digby area in the coming weeks, and these discussions will take time to refine and develop into a strategic plan that outlines a vision for the Digby area's future over the next five years.
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David Cvet
Director of the Digby Area Board of Trade

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