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Amherst will be the best place to work. 

• Comprehensive human resources plan.
• Internal communications plan.

Amherst will be financially sound.

• Sound financial management.
• Ongoing financial projections.

Commitment to safety.

• Up-to-date policing standards.
• Ensure adequate training of all staff.
• Commitment to emergency preparedness.

Amherst will be an engaged, supportive, inclusive, progressive, and vibrant community

Priority Outcomes

Housing

Housing opportunities are available for residents and newcomers along the entire housing spectrum.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Facilitate the construction of 400 housing units. December 2027
• Develop partnerships that will lead to increased housing opportunities along the entire housing spectrum
• Plan and ensure we can provide quality municipal services for an ever-increasing population
• Review parks and greenspace usage and allocation to accommodate growth and changing trends. October 2025
• Support organizations that develop affordable housing
• Develop a registry of developers to work and communicate with. September 2025
• Ensure Amherst grows as an environmentally sustainable urban community

Safe Community

Collaboration with applicable agencies to enhance community safety and services.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Collaborate with agencies (police, social services, mental health and addictions, etc.) to enhance community safety
• Determine the feasibility of a live fire training solution. March 2025
• Complete the Amherst Police Department Strategic Plan. June 2025
• Continue active participation with the Regional Emergency Management Organization
• Support community initiatives such as neighbourhood watch. October 2025
• Communicate crosswalk safety to pedestrians and motorists. March 2025
• Ensure long term viability of the Amherst water supply. September 2025
• Advocate for the protection of the Chignecto Isthmus

Transportation

Foster safe and accessible options for movement within the town.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Review the Active Transportation Strategy to determine next actions. June 2025
• Determine the feasibility of a transit system ('A' Bus). October 2025
• Develop a mobility strategy. March 2026

Accessible and Inclusive

Infrastructure, programming, information, and services are available that reduce barriers and make Amherst accessible and equitable for all.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Develop infrastructure, programming, information, and services that reduce barriers and make our community accessible and equitable to all
• Combine IDE and Accessibility Committees and Strategies. April 2025
• Make a decision on the continued use of brick sidewalks downtown. March 2025
• Develop a plan for an Accessible Playground. June 2025
• Prioritize developments that fast-track housing for social equity deserving groups

Engaged Community

We listen to and seek input from all demographics of our community. We continually communicate with the public.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Foster community engagement on a wide range of leisure, social, cultural, and recreational issues
• Seek input from all demographics of the community, particularly newcomers and equity deserving groups
• Actively promote volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition
• Build and maintain strong relations with community organizations for festivals and events - explore naming partners
• Investigate options to form a Volunteer Committee/Liaison/Database/Event Action Group. November 2025
• Promote environmental initiatives to our town residents and businesses
• Develop a Communications Plan/Strategy. December 2025

Amherst will be a prosperous, growing, vibrant, and welcoming community.

Priority Outcomes

Economic Growth

Opportunities are seized to promote and maximize growth and minimize barriers for new and exciting businesses to thrive.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Collaborate with our economic development partners to host two economic development forums within four years. October 2025/27
• Develop a plan and decide on the expansion of the industrial park. October 2025/27
• Develop new marketing/branding strategies and materials to promote Amherst as an economic destination. December 2025
• Identify barriers to business growth and create opportunities/incentives to overcome such barriers. December 2025
• Consider environmental factors in all of our development decisions

Destination Community

By investing in infrastructure and hosting signature events, we will promote Amherst as the best place to live, work, and play, showcasing our unique culture, history, and location.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Invest in infrastructure to host inclusive and accessible signature events that attract visitors and residents.
• Develop a business case for a community market with input from partners. June 2025
• Make a decision on the development of a new community centre (Rink, etc.). March 2025
• Develop a branding strategy for Amherst as a destination community. December 2025
• Develop a town beautification strategy that actively engages community participation. October 2025

Talent Attraction and Retention

Focus on attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled and diverse population to meet the needs of Amherst's growing economy.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Develop a strategy to target specific demographics to move to Amherst. December 2025
• Listen to and engage youth in the community to keep them here. Develop three new engagement opportunities for youth. June 2025
• Work with community educators (e.g. NSCC) to provide programs/training customized to the needs of employers and the community. June 2027
• Work with NS Health recruiters to attract health care professionals. March 2027

Housing Availability

We will deliver diverse housing opportunities, along the entire housing spectrum, to meet the needs of a growing workforce and to attract new residents.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Streamline the development process to eliminate red tape and barriers to new developments. Adoption of new Municipal Planning Strategy. September 2025
• Advertise Amherst strengths and opportunities to businesses and developers. (e.g. small town advantages, no commute, etc.)

Environment

Our commitment to the environment is embedded among strategic initiatives across our Economic Prosperity and Vibrant Community strategic priorities, including:

• Consider environmental factors in all of our development decisions. (Economic Growth)
• Ensure Amherst grows as an environmentally sustainable urban community. (Housing)
• Advocate for the protection of the Chignecto Isthmus. (Safe Community)
• Determine the feasibility of a new transit system ('A' Bus). October 2025 (Transportation)
• Promote environmental initiatives to our town residents and businesses. (Engaged Community)