RCMP in Sussex are reaching out to the public for information following an early morning fire on Sunday that caused extensive damage to a farming equipment business.
The fire at Arbing Equipment, which police are investigating as a case of arson, could impact as many as 12 workers.
It was barely a month ago that people in the Sussex region learned the nearby Picadilly mine would close, costing hundreds of jobs.
READ MORE: PotashCorp mine closure has Sussex residents fearing worst about economy
Area resident Lisa Thompson says many in the town are discouraged.
“[They’re] afraid that their town is going to close and shut down and become a ghost town and all that,” she said. “It just seems to be a general consensus.”
Town officials said the shock of last month’s mine closure probably isn’t over, but they are already looking ahead.
“It’s Monday. Let’s move forward and hopefully our kind of run of bad luck in the last little while is over,” Chief Administrative Officer Scott Hatcher said.
Hatcher said on Monday he began the process of applying for government assistance to being work on a strategic plan with local businesses that have felt the impact of the mine closure.
Despite a rocky few months, Thompson said some residents are remaining optimistic.
“The phoenix always rises,” she said. “I have confidence that Sussex is going to rise above all of this adversity.”
Resident Charles Thorne echoed Thompson’s comments.
“They’ve been through many things, so I’ll think you’ll find that we are a strong people,” he said.