This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today, we hear from Kevin Downing of Downing Construction in Caraquet.

IN THE PAST, I WORKED OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE MOST OF THE YEAR TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I WANTED TO BE HOME FOR DINNER EVERY NIGHT. SINCE JOBS IN MY FIELD OF EXPERTISE WERE LIMITED, I DECIDED TO START MY OWN BUSINESS.

Furthermore, I have always had the desire to contribute to employment in my region. It gives me great pleasure to know that I am participating in the local economy and, by the same token, that I am helping people to support their families. I think that people in the Greater Caraquet area like to help each other.

People mobilized during a period of extraordinary challenges to encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs. Despite the pandemic, Caraquet continued to thrive. I would like to create local partnerships with businesses in the area to increase employment and participate in various projects.

I also want to continue to shop as locally as possible. On a more community level, I would like to get involved as well as my team members to support the local youth. As we know, it is important to invest in future generations, but I would really like to do something concrete to contribute to the development of the next generation.

Supporting local businesses has a real impact because by supporting the local economy, we support our collective future.