ISO

Guysborough County RDA Achieves ISO Recognition - June 2005  

Guysborough County has achieved an international first in the area of community economic development. The Guysborough County Regional Development Authority along with the other 12 regional development authorities (RDAs) in Nova Scotia completed the rigorous process of ISO 9001:2000 registration in 2005. This will make them the first complete community economic development group on the international front with all members reaching the pinnacle of quality management.  

The ISO standard 9001:2000 increases the credibility of regional development authorities in the global marketplace. It will assure clients that the development authorities practice a systematic approach to quality management principles in order to achieve consistent quality results. Through employee competence, process management, quality planning and continual improvement each regional development authority will meet or exceed the expectations of their stakeholders, clients, and funding partners.  

GCRDA Executive Director Dan Gillis says achieving ISO 9001:2000 will support the GCRDA's reporting procedures. “The GCRDA has always had a high standard of reporting and evaluating projects. Having the ISO 9001:2000 designation will add value to our system that has been in place for several years.”  

Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage joined Nova Scotia Association of Regional Development Authorities' at a recognition ceremony at Province House on June 9, 2005.

"Our communities will continue to grow with the new strength of commitment and consistent management practices each RDA is embracing," said Mr. Fage. "When companies are interested in doing business in rural Nova Scotia, they will have confidence in dealing with community economic development organizations that meet international standards of quality management."  

The GCRDA is one of Nova Scotia 's 13 development authorities recognized as unique in Canada, with core funding provided by all three levels of government. The province recently expressed its confidence in the regional development authority network by increasing operational funding to each by $25,000. This brings total provincial funding to $150,000 annually, an amount that is matched by both federal and municipal partners.