Businesses on both sides of the border have experienced problems as security concerns have caused the US/Canada border to thicken. The Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce meeting in Stanley Bridge over the weekend stressed, however, the importance to businesses in the Atlantica region of finding ways to balance security issues with trade flows.
One of the many trends that states and provinces in the Atlantica region share in common is the exodus of its young people who leave seeking opportunities elsewhere; taking their skills with them. New initiatives are currently underway in New Hampshire that target making the state more attractive to retain its young.
A recent meeting between the Quebec and New Hampshire Chambers of Commerce stressed the common North-South ties that bind these regions together in spite of a political border.
In this edition of The Beacon, AIMS releases the first step in its new Municipal Report Card project.
This report in the Sackville Tribune Post explains why Sackville residents appear to have the highest municipal tax burden in New Brunswick.
Former Liberal New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna is talking a familiar line for AIMS. In a speech to a Halifax audience, McKenna called for major tax reform including cuts to personal and corporate income taxes, while increasing sales tax. AIMS Executive Vice President Charles Cirtwill says it's the only way for the region to remain competitive.
More natural gas from offshore Nova Scotia may soon be headed to the Northeastern United States. Maritimes and Northeast Pipelines have announced plans to increase its pipeline capacity to move natural gas from the Deep Panuke project to market in the U.S.
A new exhibit at the Maine Discovery Museum may have been set up to teach people about the history of Maine and trade, but it's also a lesson in why the Atlantica concept is such an important one to the future of the region.
Although a third border crossing in St. Stephen - Calais is under construction and should facilitate increased volumes of traffic in the region, structural problems at the Ferry Point Bridge will reduce the flow of trucks for the summer. This situation highlights the importance of truck traffic in the Atlantica region and the need for infrastructure that will permit the greatest flow of traffic with ease.
AIMS' Interm Municipal Report Card for New Brunswick made headlines around the province. In Saint John, the provincia newspaper published the highlights on its front page.