CREDA to determine impact of losing jail

By?Christopher Gooding
The Record
SPRINGHILL - The Legislative Assembley may be quieting down this time of year but the contentious issue to not build a new provincial jail in the region has yet to turn into a dull roar.
Rhonda Kelly, executive director of the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association [CREDA] confirmed this month it is conducting an economic impact study on the loss of the jail as requested by Cumberland County's five municipal units. While no projection can be made when the study will conclude, it's receiving CREDA's fullest attention.
"We will be looking at the economic and social impacts as well as the impact on the justice system," Kelly said. "When it becomes a municipal priority it becomes our priority as well."
Impact studies are part and parcel of the many services CREDA provides the region, Kelly said, and have revaluated their priorities to put the study at the top of the list.
Among the growing list to add their voice of concern over the decision and the long-term impact it will have on the area is the Springhill Area Chamber of Commerce
Chamber president Frank Likley voiced the concerns of local businesses directly to the province, sending Premier Darrell Dexter a written statement taking issue with the decision, saying it will have a negative impact on revenues for the region.
"We're very disappointed," Likely said. "We support every effort to have it here. At a meeting a few expressed their concerns that the decision is going to have an impact on their business.
"If jobs move out of the county and families move with then businesses are going to feel that."
Economic spinoffs on the construction of the jail alone, Likely said, would benefits area contractors, hardware stores and trades people.

cgooding@springhillrecord.com