Greater Moncton's prosperity started with ships
Today Greater Moncton is a bustling, diversified economy spread over three communities, the City of Dieppe, the City of Moncton and the Town of Riverview.
The region's early prosperity was linked to shipbuilding. The turning point in its economic history was the establishment of a shipyard by George and Joseph Salter in 1849.
By 1850, the shipping trade had become important enough that Moncton was made a port of entry.
With Joseph Salter as its first mayor, the Town established its first bank, the Westmorland Bank.
The decline of wooden ships wreaked disaster on Greater Moncton. The bank collapsed and Moncton lost its status as an incorporated town in 1862.
The beginnings of a new era, however, came with the railway, especially in the post-Confederation period when Moncton became the headquarters of the shops for the Intercolonial Railway(1871) and a booming railway centre. This development led to reincorporation as a town in 1875.
Greater Moncton is often referred to as "The Hub of the Maritimes" because all railway lines in and out of the Maritimes must pass through it and it is a central point for road and air transportation. This has made Greater Moncton a regional centre and a major distribution and telecommunications centre for Atlantic Canada.
While CN employed as many as 6000 workers at its peak, this number has dropped significantly since the closing of its repair shops in 1986 and their demolition in 1988.
Illustrative of a shift towards a post-industrial economy, the vast CN lands have been decontaminated and redeveloped to include a technological park and sports facilities such as playing fields and an arena complex. The regional economic base is now diversified, partly due to the presence of post-secondary institutions and technical schools.
The diversity of the people living in the Greater Moncton area makes for a local culture that is like no other in New Brunswick. Music, dance, theatre and visual arts are available to visitors and residents alike who yearn for a cultural getaway. Acadian artists have a vitality all their own and are forever coming up with new and imaginative ideas.