Funding announced for Yarmouth ferry terminal
More than $9.7 million in government funds to go to phase-one redevelopment of Yarmouth facility
The three levels of government are contributing more than $9.7 million in joint funding towards the phase-one redevelopment of the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal.
The federal and Nova Scotia governments are both contributing up to $3 million through the Small Communities Fund. The Town of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Yarmouth and Municipality of Argyle will contribute the remainder of project funding.
Work includes upgrading and relocating passenger inspection line booths, replacing the pontoon and transfer bridge and improving overall terminal facilities such as external lighting and passenger waiting areas.
The official announcement was scheduled to be made Tuesday morning, Sept. 4, at the ferry terminal.
“The government of Canada understands that strategic investments in infrastructure are crucial to increasing tourism and driving economic growth,” said West Nova MP Colin Fraser. “These essential upgrades to the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal will position Nova Sco- tia as a more welcoming and accessible destination for tourists, while helping local businesses to create jobs, grow and prosper.”
Fraser announced the federal portion of the funding on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
Also slated to be on hand for the funding announcement were Zach Churchill, Yarmouth MLA and Nova Scotia’s minister of education and early childhood development, as well as Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, Yarmouth Warden Leland Anthony and Argyle Warden Richard Donaldson.
A media release about the funding said the federal and Nova Scotia governments “recognize that strategic investments in public infrastructure—including funding for culture and tourism projects—play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class and Canadian businesses.”
Once complete, the release said, “the redeveloped ferry terminal will establish the port of Yarmouth as an international tourist destination, improve visitor experience and provide new economic opportunities for businesses in the area and across southern Nova Scotia.”