More Inducements Don't Always Work...

I think it's time the Government had a serious look at how they operate Prince Edward Island Business Development http://www.peibusinessdevelopment.com/ and consider a model similar to how Nova Scotia have theirs set up http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/en/home/aboutus/default.aspx as Nova Scotia seem to be leading the way at luring new business to their Province and keeping them. Although PEIBD have a great management team they are lacking a "private" Board of Directors like Nova Scotia who have the experience to help guide them and their Minister on how to attract and keep new business here and it's not always incentives that are the determining factors. Have a look at both web sites and see if you can notice a different approach.

NSBI is led by a private-sector board consisting of business leaders from across the province who represent a diverse range of sectors and business interests.
Terms of service for board members range from between two and four years. The Chair of the Board serves a three-year term.
Doug Hall (Chair) Former Managing Director, RBC Dominion Securities, Halifax
Jim Eisenhauer (Vice-Chair) President, ABCO Group Limited, Lunenburg
Scott Travers President/COO Minas Basin Pulp & Power Co. Ltd., Hantsport
Nancy Tower CFO, Emera Inc., Halifax
David Arenburg President, Adcor Group of Companies, Yarmouth
Bill BlackFormer President and CEO, Maritime Life, Halifax
Sean Murray President and CEO, Advocate Printing and Publishing Co. Limited, Pictou
Lawrence K. Evans, Q.C.Partner, Evans MacIsaac MacMillan, Port Hawkesbury
James Kehoe President, Joneljim Group of Companies, Sydney
Paul Kent Former COO, xwave, and Senior Vice President, Enterprise and Business Solutions, Bell Aliant, Halifax
Stuart Rath President and Director, Stuco Holdings Ltd., Truro
Ian Thompson Deputy Minister, Department of Economic and Rural Development, Halifax
Lois Dyer Mann Former Partner, Caldwell Partners International Inc., Halifax

P.E.I. tries to keep video game developer
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
CBC News
The P.E.I. government said it is doing what it can to keep a U.S.-based video game developer from moving to Nova Scotia.
Last week, all 23 employees of Longtail Studios working in its Charlottetown office were told they had the option to move to a new office it plans to open in Halifax.
“I am concerned with the possible loss of these positions on P.E.I.,” Innovation Minister Allan Campbell told CBC News on Tuesday.
“I've asked staff in my department to put together a package that is attractive to the company and that incites them to remain here on P.E.I.,” he said.
"Why Nova Scotia in particular has targeted this particular company, I'm not sure about that," Campbell said.
Longtail Studios, headquartered in New York City, develops character-driven games and content for platforms such as iPhone, iPod Touch, Nintendo Wii and the web.
A company representative would not say whether it plans to shut down its office in Charlottetown.
The provincial government has a tax credit agreement with Longtail that expires in November. The company also receives subsidies on wages and rent at the Atlantic Technology Centre.
Campbell said discussions to keep the company in the province have been continuing for the past several months.
Longtail Studios opened its office in Charlottetown in November 2007.
The company also maintains an office in Quebec City.