NEW GLASGOW - Business is one of the areas that will benefit the most from a governance study in Pictou County, says a Chamber of Commerce official.

Faus Johnson, executive director of the organization, says streamlining the administration of the county is one way to attract business to the area.

"From a business perspective, it's difficult operating when you have this number of municipal units," Johnson said. "Sometimes it's difficult to get things done - from a business perspective. Streamlining is essential to attract new businesses."

Another issue that could be addressed with the study is the sticky situation of determining who speaks for Pictou County.

"One issue, at the moment, is that no one is speaking on behalf of Pictou County as a whole. Each council speaks for the town they represent," he said. "Shared services are working, and bringing together policing in Trenton and New Glasgow is certainly a move in the right direction, but I anticipate that the governance study could recommend other ways of streamlining and saving money."

Jack Kyte, interim executive director for the Pictou Regional Development Agency, was also pleased to hear the funding for the study had been announced.

"This is a step in the right direction. Everyone has an opinion on the governance issue, but we can only make a responsible decision about it if we are well informed and understand the consequences of any proposed change in the governance model, whether they are positive or negative consequences."

Kyte added the PRDA will do "whatever it can" to work with its municipal partners throughout the process.