Bridgewater hosts launch of Michelin Cities Business Incubators Agreement

On Monday, October 21, 2024, the Town of Bridgewater welcomed the world as our community of about 9,000 residents played host to partners of the International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) and the organization celebrated the launch of the new INMC Corridor of Incubators Agreement.

"The International Network of Michelin Cities plays an important part in Bridgewater's place at both the national and international table," explained Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell.

"The signing of the Corridor of Incubators Agreement further demonstrates Bridgewater's commitment not only to growing the local economy but doing so by attracting and scaling up sustainable and innovative business," he added.

"I am thrilled that Bridgewater once again leads the way by being a founding signatory of this agreement with our Canadian sister locations in Pictou County and Magog, Quebec."

A delegation from INMC founding city, Clermont-Ferrand, France, led by that city's Deputy Mayor Jérôme Auslender, arrived in Bridgewater on Sunday night for the event.

The day-long visit included a morning meet and greet at Town Hall with Mayor Mitchell, the new Town Council-elect, and staff. The visiting delegation then travelled to the Michelin Bridgewater facility for a full tour.

From there, a luncheon was hosted at the NSCC Lunenburg Campus in Bridgewater where the INMC Corridor of Incubators Agreement was officially launched.

Guests included the Honourable Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and MLA Lunenburg West, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor-elect Elspeth McLean-Wile, Town of Lunenburg Mayor-elect Jamie Myra, along with representation from Invest NS, the Nova Scotia Community College, the Pictou County Partnership, Valley Regional Enterprise Network, Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce, Lunenburg Board of Trade, and many members of the local business community.

Joining the Town of Bridgewater among the initial seven agreement signatories from Canada are Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and the City of Magog, Quebec. European signatories include the cities of Clermont-Ferrand, France; Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Braga, Portugal; and Regensburg, Germany.  

The international agreement establishes a corridor to facilitate partnerships among INMC cities to host innovative start-ups and create an opportunity for them to expand internationally.

"We now have a direct connection for our existing businesses here in Bridgewater that will support business growth and development as the International Network of Michelin Cities expands from the original seven members to 23 locations around the world," said Donna Hatt, the Town of Bridgewater's Economic Development Officer.

"It's great for the region and it's great for our businesses in particular."