The Progressive Conservative government's plan to cut 20 jobs at Business New Brunswick is creating hope within the economic development community about a new direction for job creation.

For years, business leaders have called for a major rethinking of how the New Brunswick government tries to create jobs.

Susan Holt, the executive director of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, said job cuts at Business New Brunswick may be the first step to that new plan.

"My sense is it is related to the reorientation of economic development," Holt said.

Premier David Alward promised during last year's provincial election campaign that he would create a new Crown corporation that would focus on economic development.

The Alward government has already announced that Robert MacLeod, the co-chairman of the Progressive Conservative election campaign team, has been named the president of Invest NB.

Invest NB will focus on attracting new companies to the province while Business New Brunswick will continue to support existing businesses.

Holt said the Alward government's plan offers a slightly more cluttered organizational chart, but she said it could still be an improvement if the two organizations are more disciplined.

"So I'm hoping this is part of clearing the slate and getting back to the basics of what the right economic development strategy is for New Brunswick, and then resourcing accordingly," Holt said.

The Opposition Liberals are questioning why it is taking so long for the provincial government to set up the agency.

Liberal MLA Roger Melanson said the government is taking too long to clarify its plans.

"We still haven't seen a piece of legislation to create Invest NB," Melanson said.

The provincial government plans to introduce legislation to set up Invest NB in the coming weeks.