POPULATION GROWTH
LUNENBURG COUNTY'S RESPONSE TO THE IVANY REPORT
|
>THE CHALLENGE
In February 2014, Now or Never was produced through the Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy. The report stressed urgency to change the way Nova Scotians think and work in order to create and sustain a viable economy and resilient communities.
What is most evident in rural communities is the changing demographics which impact all aspects of existing infrastructure and the economy – schools, hospitals, housing, workforce and community cultural and social fabric. The net outflow of working-age residents and the related declining tax base contributes to this crumbling infrastructure. In short, without a reversal of current demographic trends, Lunenburg County, in line with the rest of rural Nova Scotia, will experience a dramatic lowering of quality of life and a decreasing ability to recover. Lunenburg County’s aging and declining population leaves gaps in resource utilization and stalls economic growth and development. Existing businesses report a lack of available labor force in both highly skilled and general trade sectors.
Prosperity through population growth
NOW Lunenburg County's goal is to increase the population of Lunenburg County enough to reverse the net outflow of people with special regard to the under 35 age group to increase economic opportunities, support existing businesses and build a strong vibrant future for the area.
NOW Lunenburg County believes the key to our prosperity is through population growth. Our strategy focuses on growing our population by: inviting and welcoming new people to move here; retaining our youth; building on our strengths and highlighting the opportunities for young families and entrepreneurs that are available here.
What is most evident in rural communities is the changing demographics which impact all aspects of existing infrastructure and the economy – schools, hospitals, housing, workforce and community cultural and social fabric. The net outflow of working-age residents and the related declining tax base contributes to this crumbling infrastructure. In short, without a reversal of current demographic trends, Lunenburg County, in line with the rest of rural Nova Scotia, will experience a dramatic lowering of quality of life and a decreasing ability to recover. Lunenburg County’s aging and declining population leaves gaps in resource utilization and stalls economic growth and development. Existing businesses report a lack of available labor force in both highly skilled and general trade sectors.
Prosperity through population growth
NOW Lunenburg County's goal is to increase the population of Lunenburg County enough to reverse the net outflow of people with special regard to the under 35 age group to increase economic opportunities, support existing businesses and build a strong vibrant future for the area.
NOW Lunenburg County believes the key to our prosperity is through population growth. Our strategy focuses on growing our population by: inviting and welcoming new people to move here; retaining our youth; building on our strengths and highlighting the opportunities for young families and entrepreneurs that are available here.
|
|
>PROGRESS MADE
In 2016 we hired Tina Hennigar, as our Population Growth Coordinator. In 2017 Tina embarked on a bold idea, courageously doing a Cross Canada Tour, personally, inviting people to move to Lunenburg County.
The tour was an incredibly successful 36 days, 19 media interviews, and thousands of handshakes. NOW Lunenburg County travelled our beautiful country of Canada to tell anyone who would listen, that an amazing community awaits them in Lunenburg County Nova Scotia! Everyday Tina receives inquiries from folks looking to create a life here.
The tour was an incredibly successful 36 days, 19 media interviews, and thousands of handshakes. NOW Lunenburg County travelled our beautiful country of Canada to tell anyone who would listen, that an amazing community awaits them in Lunenburg County Nova Scotia! Everyday Tina receives inquiries from folks looking to create a life here.
|
|
>NEXT STEPS
Our population Growth Coordinator, Tina Hennigar, continues to invite people to move here and often acts as a "first friend" helping those who have arrived land softy and discover the wonders of their new community.
NOW Lunenburg County continues to build on what we have accomplished. In August 2019 we will launch the 2nd edition of our "Create a Life You Love" magazine which showcases the many types and varied lives people are living here. We continue to address some of the barriers we have encountered for folks interested in moving here. These include a doctor attraction strategy and the establishment of NOWLC-Net a co-operative to deliver high-speed internet in Lunenburg County.
NOW Lunenburg County continues to build on what we have accomplished. In August 2019 we will launch the 2nd edition of our "Create a Life You Love" magazine which showcases the many types and varied lives people are living here. We continue to address some of the barriers we have encountered for folks interested in moving here. These include a doctor attraction strategy and the establishment of NOWLC-Net a co-operative to deliver high-speed internet in Lunenburg County.
>immigration info |
|
"Hi, I'm not sure if you're the right people to ask but my partner and I are considering moving to lunenburg county over the next year and are interested in finding out what the prospects are like for high school teachers in the county. I wonder if you would know this or if you could point me in the direction to find out this information.
Thank you"
Amy R
"Hi Amy!
We'd LOVE to have you and we NEED teachers!! Here is a link to our high school teaching jobs that are vacant. Please find attached the link to the job postings at our regional school board. New vacancies are posted every Tuesday at 4 pm! Bookmark it and look every week until you find the right one for you. What else are you looking for in your new life in Nova Scotia? "
Tina
