Media Releases
Town of Amherst and Municipality of the County of Cumberland Announce New Economic Development Model
- Details
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2026
Town of Amherst and Municipality of the County of Cumberland Announce New Economic Development Model
The Town of Amherst and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland are announcing a new approach to delivering economic development services that will strengthen collaboration, improve efficiency, and enhance accountability while continuing to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
With the recent expiry of the operating agreement between the Cumberland Business Connector, the Town of Amherst, and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, both municipal councils undertook a review of how economic development services could best be delivered to meet the region's evolving needs.
Following that review, both municipalities have concluded that economic development services will be most effective when delivered directly through municipal staff. This approach provides a direct reporting relationship to each municipality, resulting in greater accountability, more responsive decision-making, and improved alignment with each municipality's strategic priorities.
The new model will also create administrative efficiencies by integrating economic development functions into existing municipal operations. Administrative responsibilities such as payroll, human resources, information technology, budgeting, financial reporting, and governance can be supported through existing municipal systems, allowing economic development staff to dedicate more of their time to supporting businesses, attracting investment, and fostering economic growth.
The decision reflects a commitment to delivering the best possible service for the region.
“The Cumberland Business Connector has made many valuable contributions to our business community over the past decade, and we sincerely thank the Board, staff, volunteers, and business leaders who have helped advance economic development in our region," said Amherst Mayor Rob Small.
"As we looked to the future, Council felt the best way to build on that success was to integrate economic development directly into our municipal operations. This approach will allow us to make decisions more efficiently, strengthen accountability, and ensure our resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact—supporting businesses, creating opportunities, and growing our local economy."
Although services will now be delivered through the municipalities, collaboration will remain a priority. Staff from both municipal units will continue to work together on regional initiatives, including tourism promotion, youth entrepreneurship, business education, and other opportunities that benefit the Cumberland region.
Mayor Rod Gilroy of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland said the new model reflects the strong working relationship between the two municipalities.
"Economic development is most successful when our communities work together," said Mayor Gilroy. “This new model will ensure the work remains focused on municipal economic development priorities. In many cases, these priorities will align with the Town of Amherst, and when they do, we will continue to work together to advance them.”
The Town and County recognize the importance of maintaining a strong connection with the local business community. Municipal staff will work with business leaders to develop an effective and meaningful process for ongoing consultation, ensuring that the experience and perspectives of the business community continue to inform economic development priorities and initiatives.
This new approach reflects a shared commitment by both municipalities to delivering efficient, responsive, and collaborative economic development services that support business success and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Cumberland County.
Media inquiries:
Darrell Cole, Corporate Communications Officer
902-297-1333
June 22, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
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Amherst Town Council held its regular June meeting on Monday night to address items including:
1 Albion Street Development Agreement
Council give First Reading of the development agreement for 1 Albion Street to permit the construction of a 36-unit residential development and scheduled a public hearing for July 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. This residential construction project is an initiative of the YMCA of Cumberland.
The development agreement contains terms and conditions intended to address the relevant policies of the Municipal Planning Strategy. This infill development addresses the high demand for affordable housing and would be located in a central location in the downtown core area.
Community Support Grants
Maggie’s Place will receive $2,500 to support their annual program of filling 350 good-quality backpacks with school supplies for students in Amherst and the wider Cumberland area.
The Amherst Black Education Committee will receive $1,500 (in-kind) for an outdoor water line installation to support their community garden.
Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum will receive $15,000 to assist with the museum’s relocation to 55 Victoria Street – a more updated and accessible space.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Committee Motions
At the May 13, 2026 Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee meeting, the Committee passed two motions to be forwarded to council in consideration of accessibility
improvements at the Community Credit Union Business Centre. Council directed staff to carry out the accessibility improvements at the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre as recommended by the AIDE Committee that can be financially and operationally accommodated in the current fiscal year and provide a recommendation / plan for the remainder of the improvements in the 2027/28 operating and capital budget process.
Town of Amherst and CUPE Local 1233 Sign New Three-Year Agreement
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Town of Amherst management bargaining team representatives and the CUPE Local 1233 Executive have successfully negotiated a new three-year agreement.
CUPE Local 1233 President Kenny Lusby and Amherst Mayor Rob Small signed the new three-year collective agreement on Wednesday morning, officially adopting the new contract.
Shoplifting Suspect Arrested 2nd Time in 24 Hours
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Amherst Police Department
A 29-year-old woman from New Brunswick who had been arrested on May 21st, 2026 and held for court was arrested again shortly after making an appearance in court on May 22nd, 2026.
Nellie Landry, aged 29 had been arrested and charged with theft under $5000, possession of property obtained by crime, resisting arrest and breach of probation in relation to an incident on the evening of May 21st, 2026. She was held overnight brought to court on May 22nd, 2026. She appeared on the charges and was released from custody with a court date to reappear.
Shortly after 1:00pm on May 22nd, 2026 Amherst Police responded to a complaint of a theft from a downtown business where a suspect had allegedly stolen articles of clothing. Landry was arrested by Police shortly afterwards and has been charged with theft under $5000 – Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code. She made a brief appearance in court on the new charges and was remanded into custody until Monday May 25th, 2026.
Shoplifting Complaint Results in Arrest and Multiple Charges
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Amherst Police Department
A 29-year-old woman from New Brunswick has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses as a result of a complaint of shoplifting at a local business. The value of the alleged stolen items exceeds $2000.00.
Police had responded to the Robert Angus Drive area business on a complaint that a person was in the store and was on conditions not to be. Staff provided a description of the suspect and advised that she had been in the possession of a shopping cart full of merchandise.
Police located the accused in the area of the Amherst Industrial Park pushing a cart allegedly full of stolen items. The accused allegedly tried to run but was arrested. Police also executed an outstanding warrant for failing to appear on a previous theft charge in Amherst NS from an incident on March 18th, 2026.
April 27, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
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Amherst Town Council held its regular April meeting on Monday night to address items including:
Community Support Grants
Council approved the following grants, totalling more than $150,000: $15,000 to Amherst Little League; $5,000 to Lillian Allbon Animal Shelter; $5,000 the 50+ Club; $7,000 to Esther Fest (Great Amherst Cultural Society); $2,500 to Fibre Arts Festival; $1,000 to Relay for Life; $1,500 to Amherst Minor Basketball Association; $5,000 to All Saints Parish Truth and Reconciliation (contingent on the group receiving other funding); $3,770 to Fundy Winds Marsh; $10,000 to After the School Bell Program; $15,000 to Amherst Food Assistance Network; $2,000 to Amherst Pre-School Association; $6,000 to Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association; $10,000 to Cumberland County Transition House Association; $5,000 to Society of St. Vincent de Paul; $4,000 to Autism Nova Scotia; $15,000 to NSCC; $750 to Cumberland Hospice and Palliative Care Society; $5,000 to the Cumberland County Minor Baseball Association; $10,000 to the Bordertown Biker Bash; $1,500 to the Bridge Adult Service Centre; and, $20,000 to the Amherst Downtown Business Association (contingent on signing of a Memorandum of Understanding).
Capital Budget Carry Overs
There were a number of capital projects in the 2025/26 capital budget which were not completed within the past fiscal year. In order to continue these projects, Council amended the current capital budget to “carry over” these projects into the current fiscal year. These projects total $5,064,800.
2025/26 Capital Budget Amendment – Laplanche Pumping Station
The remote monitoring system for the Laplanche River Pumping Station failed on March 11, 2026, which necessitated emergency replacement. Council approved an amendment to the 2025/26 general capital budget to include $18,000 covering the replacement of the display and programmable logic controller for the Laplanche River pumping station SCADA system, to be funded from the Operating Reserve – Sewer Reserve.
2026/27 Capital Budget Amendment – Town Hall Generator Replacement
After mechanical and operational issues with the 12-year-old Town Hall backup generator over the past year, a recommendation was made to have it replaced. Council approved an amendment to the 2026/27 general capital budget to include $50,000 from the Capital Reserve – Unrestricted, for the costs of replacing this emergency backup generator.
2026/27 Capital Budget Amendment – Victoria Street Paving
The Town received approval through the Province of Nova Scotia's cost-shared program for Municipal Trunks and Routes Paving, to cold mill and pave Victoria Street from Station Street to Acadia Street, with the Province covering 50% of eligible costs. Council approved an amendment to the 2026/27 general capital budget in the amount of $270,000 for this project – to be funded with $135,000 from the Municipal Trunks and Routes Paving Program, $100,000 from the Canada Community Building Fund (formerly the Gas Tax), and $35,000 from the Capital Reserve Unrestricted.
Asphalt Patching Tender
The recently approved operating budget for 2026/27 includes $535,000 for contracted asphalt patching services. A tender for the asphalt patching program was issued, and two bids were received (excluding applicable taxes): $611,611.00 from Miller Group; and $519,600.00 from Dexter Construction. Council awarded the Asphalt Patching Tender to the lowest compliant bidder – Dexter Construction – at their unit price (based on estimated quantities) plus HST.
Cumberland Regional Emergency Management Organization Emergency Plan
Following a review conducted by the Cumberland Regional Emergency Management Organization, it was determined that an updated emergency management plan was required to effectively support all municipal units that are parties to the Inter-Municipal Emergency Services Agreement (Amherst, Oxford and Cumberland).
This new Emergency Management Plan – now approved by Council – will modernize and update the existing operational framework to ensure it aligns with current risks, responsibilities, and operational requirements.
