Town of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia

NEW GLASGOW, NS, November 21, 2005...The Town of New Glasgow launched a comprehensive strategic plan entitled, Commitment to Quality, before an audience of business and community leaders, town committee volunteers, representatives of community business development organizations and citizens. Mayor Ann MacLean and Acting CAO, Bob Funke unveiled the plan and members of Town Council and the Senior Leadership Team were also on hand to answer questions. The Mayor and CAO also outlined the strategic planning process, which included extensive data collection, research, interviews and input from citizens, business and community leaders as well as Town Council and senior management.

The Town's vision statement positions New Glasgow as the leading Commercial Service Centre for northern Nova Scotia, building on the Town's unique asset of being built along the banks of the East River and focuses on identifying and building an even stronger community identity and appealing lifestyle.

In the Mission statement, The Town of New Glasgow leaders pledged a commitment to progressive leadership and guiding principles that emphasizes accountability, accessibility, transparency and open communications as well as a commitment to building a strong and healthy community that recognizes and celebrates diversity and partnerships and builds an appealing lifestyle for citizens.

Six key strategic directions were announced with goals and measurable outcomes also identified. The six strategic directions were as follows:

• Develop and Follow Best Practices in Maintaining and Improving the Level and Delivery of Core Services.
• Improve and Develop Working Relationships with All Internal and External Stakeholders
• Enhance New Glasgow's Position as a Tourist Destination
• Expand New Glasgow's  Commercial and Residential Tax Base
• Increase Recognition of New Glasgow's Unique Identity
• Enhance The Town's Communications with Internal and External Stakeholders

Key goals within the plan include adopting a service standard and performance measurement system in the areas of finance, customer service, operating efficiency and employee performance; tourism destination growth through heritage and marine tourism development; improved communications with all stakeholders and more emphasize on creating a strong New Glasgow brand and unique identity.

Major action steps that support the strategic directions and goals include:

• facilitating the revitalization of the Downtown core
• creating incentives that will encourage residential and commercial growth and build  a more welcoming business development environment
• facilitating and supporting the development of a hotel convention centre and multi purpose facility
• facilitating and supporting the development of a genealogical heritage centre
• tourism development that focuses on a river experience and heritage
• Improved communication/marketing standards, procedures, tools and guidelines that will be implemented and reflected in all aspects of the town's governance and operations.

Measurable outcomes of New Glasgow's plan focus on all representatives, employees and elected officials working towards enhancing the quality standards of service delivery as well as having a commitment towards achieving the fulfillment of the vision, mission and goals that have been set to set the foundation for a strong and vibrant future for New Glasgow. Results include: increasing the commercial and residential tax base by 5%, increasing tourism traffic by 2%, visual and physical improvements in the Downtown core and the development of an official Brand New Glasgow and clearly defined community identity that is embraced by the town itself and recognized by the community at large.

These outcomes will be measured through an internal and external survey to be conducted in 2007 and 2008. Existing research and data collected in 2004 will provide a useful benchmark against which these outcomes may be measured.

The Town of New Glasgow Strategic Plan will be available on the Town's Web site, via email or in hard copy. Contact: Kimberly Dickson, Director of Marketing and Communications, Town of New Glasgow; 755-0356 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it