Enterprise Saint John is looking for more municipal money to support its work, but one city councillor is not sold on the idea just yet.
The economic development agency appeared before the city’s growth committee on Tuesday to request an additional $67,995 in funding.
It is the first time the agency has asked for extra municipal money in five years, according to CEO Ron Gaudet.
Coun. Blake Armstrong said he wants more in-depth details about the jobs the economic development agency is helping to create.
“It’s alright to put on paper what you brought in, but I want to know beneath the numbers,” Armstrong told our newsroom. “Who created jobs, where they created jobs. I don’t think it’s a very big ask.”
ESJ open to more transparency
Gaudet told our newsroom he respects the councillor’s vantage point, adding the agency is prepared to share whatever information council is looking for.
“Going forward with our new [three-year strategic] plan, we intend to be reporting on different metrics,” Gaudet said. “We plan on being extremely transparent.”
Gaudet said they have great respect for the city’s current financial situation but it takes a level of commitment to help attract new investment to the region.
The agency is seeking a total of $100,000 in additional funding from the five communities it represents — Saint John, Rothesay, Quispamsis, Grand Bay-Westfield and St. Martins.
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Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(Photo: City of Saint John/submitted)
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