PRESS RELEASE - March 22, 2024
For Immediate Release
Richmond County and Town of Port Hawkesbury Announce Manager of Energy Sector Development
RICHMOND COUNTY, NS - The Municipality of the County of Richmond, the Town of Port Hawkesbury, and the Cape Breton Partnership are proud to announce that Martin Thomsen will be the new Manager of Energy Sector Development for the two municipalities, made possible through a secondment from the Cape Breton Partnership.
As the Manager of Energy Sector Development, Thomsen will be responsible for the oversight of the strategic development of a Local Port and Infrastructure Strategy and an Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence. The role will engage with both existing and emerging industry partners and stakeholders to optimize local benefits in relation to the green energy sector.
This new three-year position will be shared jointly by both the Municipality of the County of Richmond and the Town of Port Hawkesbury and hosted administratively by the Municipality of the County of Richmond. The position is made possible with funding from both municipal partners, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.
Since January 2023 Thomsen has been part of the team at the Cape Breton Partnership, based in Richmond County and the Town of Port Hawkesbury in the role of Innovation and Economic Development Officer and has previously worked for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, a public-sector economic development agency in Scotland.
“I’m excited and humbled to embark on this new journey with Richmond County and the Town of Port Hawkesbury,” says Martin Thomsen. “Through my work with the Cape Breton Partnership I have become very familiar with the opportunity that the green energy sector represents for the Strait Area, and I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge.”
“The Cape Breton Partnership is proud to support Martin in taking on this new exciting role with two of the Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network’s partners to help pave the way for the green energy sector here on the Island,” says Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity for career development and progression through this secondment, and are excited to be part of the collaborative efforts to continue building this industry in the Strait Area, and look forward to continue working with Martin and the rest of our partners on this exciting work.”
Martin Thomsen commences in the role on 2nd of April, while the Cape Breton Partnership will be advertising for a new Economic Development Officer for Richmond County and Port Hawkesbury shortly.
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Media Contact:
Cape Breton Partnership
Jeremy Martell, Director of Communications
902-562-0122
Left to right: Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership, Martin Thomsen, Manager of Engery Sector Development, Troy MacCulloch, CAO, Municipality of the County of Richmond