Business View Civil & Municipal | July 2022

45 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 area resident, offers a picture of comfortable familiarity in a community where people care about each other. A vibrant town, with all the amenities for a great life. This attractive quality is being used in current marketing efforts, which promote Amherst as “A Hidden Gem.” Bacon explains, “It’s very true that the Cumberland County area, Amherst in particular, is a hidden gem. We are really excited for this national exposure, because this will give us the recognition that we deserve. Our initiatives are to expand and grow our community from a business sense and from their services. We also are really interested in bringing a new population to our area because it expands their capabilities.” As the town attracts new residents, housing is an issue. Andrew Fisher, Director of Planning & Strategic Initiatives relates, “We are famous for our grand historic homes in the older parts of town and they’ve attracted a lot of people to move to the community. We have identified the expansion of residential options as a priority. There are lots ready to be built on, and opportunities for multi-unit expansion as well.” On the commercial side, Amherst has a blend of historic and contemporary architecture, with many designated heritage properties, including an old post office, which was purchased by the town and restored. “We like to do that when we can,” reports CAO Jason MacDonald, describing, “Our downtown has a variety of office buildings, like Indigenous and Northern Affairs with a few hundred employees in a modern four-storey building. Around the corner is a 125-year-old clapboard home with another viable business in it with three employees. There is a beautiful mix. We have the best of both worlds.” Amherst is home to several major employers including Emmerson Packaging, Wonderbrands, a STAPLES distribution warehouse, Gordon Food Service, IMP Aerostructures and the Maritime AMHERST , NOVA SCOT I A