Money for beautification projects

Cape Breton communities to benefit from provincial funding

SYDNEY — The Nova Scotia government is partnering with municipalities to invest $629,476 in 50 beautification projects across the province — 12 of which are in Cape Breton.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Chuck Porter made the announcement on Wednesday in a news release.

"The beautification and streetscaping program supports the development of attractive and inviting areas where residents and visitors want to spend time," Porter said. "Investments like this also help to rejuvenate our communities and foster local pride."

The program is application-based and funds up to 50 per cent of the costs of eligible municipal projects to a maximum of $25,000.

Some of the projects approved include landscaping, interpretive signage, lighting for public spaces and the creation and installation of an accessible outdoor art gallery.

"Through this program, municipalities have up to 50 per cent of their project costs covered,” said Pam Mood, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. “As a result, communities from Sydney to Yarmouth have been able to develop beautiful areas for their residents and visitors alike and enhance the well-being in municipalities across the province."

The following is a list of Cape Breton projects:

• Municipality of the County of Inverness/ Whycocomagh Streetscape Committee: implementation of the Whycocomagh brand, signage and streetscape plan, $25,000

• Town of Port Hawkesbury: community park, streetscaping upgrades, $21,250

• Municipality of the County of Victoria/Village of Baddeck: Baddeck community wharf and surrounding area beautification Phase 1, $12,750

• Cape Breton Regional Municipality Blossoming 2020:

- Sydney, $17,356

- North Sydney and Sydney Mines, $10,806

- Glace Bay, Reserve Mines and Dominion, $12,607

- Whitney Pier and New Waterford, $10,806

- Port Morien and Louisbourg, $7,925

• CBRM/Downtown Sydney Development Association: downtown Sydney beautification, $5,825

• Municipality of the County of Inverness/Margaree Area Development Association: Margaree brand, signage and concept development plan, $8,191

• Municipality of the County of Inverness/Friends of Whale Watch Cape Breton: Pleasant Bay brand, signage and conceptual development plan, $17,500

• CBRM/Sydney & Louisbourg Railway Historical Society: facade improvement, Louisbourg's iconic yellow caboose, $5,750.

A full list of projects is available at https:// beta.novascotia.ca/ documents/beautificationand-streetscaping-programgrant-recipients-2020.