LePage touts energy opportunities in New Brunswick forum
Maine and New Brunswick leaders pointed to energy as the key to moving both regions' economies forward during an international forum Thursday in the Canadian province.
Gov. Paul LePage echoed sentiments expressed earlier this month that Maine has potential to transmit and distribute energy through the region during his visit Thursday to the N2 International Exchange Forum in Saint John, New Brunswick.
"Energy is absolutely critical," Gov. Paul LePage said to a group of approximately 150 business leaders from northeastern U.S. and Atlantic Canada. "We can be the conduit to the Northeast."
The cross-border conference, sponsored by the Saint John Board of Trade and MT&L Public Relations, saw LePage and New Brunswick Premier David Alward, as well as industry decision-makers from such firms as Emera and Maritime & Northeast Pipeline, come together for a public discussion on economic opportunities.
While topics included innovation, education, transportation and exporting, energy remained a focal point at the day-long event.
While Alward said his province sees "tremendous potential" within the energy sector, he cautioned that quick action and cooperation are key to developing that potential.
"Energy equals jobs," Alward said. "A great many jobs on both sides of the border depend on our ability to work together to innovate and to build on our respective strengths and assets."
Tourism, innovation and transportation were also cited as economic drivers in which both Maine and New Brunswick share common goals and can each benefit economically by working together.
Alward pointed to the Two Nation Vacation initiative, in which both countries are promoting such regions as Bar Harbor, Machias and Bangor in Maine as well as St. Andrews, Saint John and Fredericton in New Brunswick as one vacation destination.
He sees further opportunity for Acadia National Park, which attracts two million people annually.
"I am fully confident we can introduce even more visitors to one of the world's greatest tourism experiences by working in partnership."
The N2 forum coincided with the opening of the Route 1 expansion between St. Stephen — bordering Calais — and River Glade, near Moncton. The $540 million upgrade, which saw the complete twinning of the 150-mile route, is expected to further encourage trade between the two nations.
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