Region to benefit from $2.4-million investment
ACOA announces economic boost
The South Shore is receiving a $2.4 million economic boost thanks to an investment from the federal government.
On behalf of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 18 community spaces will receive a total of $1,359,377 from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), while five tourism projects will receive a total of $1,128,508 from the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF).
During the announcement at Queens Place Emera Centre on Feb. 25, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of official languages and minister responsible for ACOA, said communities have faced many challenges and hardships during the pandemic.
“As we work to safely reopen our economy, we have been with Canadians every step of the way, by providing the supports and measures to help our businesses pull through a very difficult time and also to drive our economic recovery,” she said. “We believe targeted investments in infrastructure build healthier, more inclusive communities and make a difference in the lives of everyday Canadians.”
Projects receiving funding through CCRF include upgraded heating for the Mahone Bay Centre, support for a universally designed play ground play park in Liverpool, pavilion upgrades for the Queens County Fair in Caledonia, various efficiency upgrades to the
Shelburne County Museum, and repairing and resurfacing the Bridgewater tennis courts.
Projects receiving TRF funding include development of winter season tourism events by South Shore Tourism Cooperative Limited; the construction of an Oceanfront Treehouse at White Point Beach Lodge and barrel shaped saunas, a heated pool and dome sunrooms at Sidanna Retreat.
“As travel is starting again and health restrictions are beginning to be lifted … Canada’s tourism sector is still facing a challenging road to recovery,” said Petitpas Taylor. “The Tourism Relief Fund will help tourism operators rebuild and resume the country’s tourism activities and prepare to safely welcome visitors again.”
By providing this funding for these and other projects, Petitpas Taylor said they’re enabling recipients to benefit their communities in a variety of ways, many of which stretch beyond the economy.
“From increasing energy efficiency, to enabling community groups to meet their environmental protection objectives, to improving shared spaces, we are helping these organizations generate new revenue that will be used for community projects and help bringing people back together,” she said. “And by enhancing tourism experiences and also tourism projects, we will attract more local, domestic and international visitors, enabling tourism operators to rebound.”
Both the CCRF and the
TRF were launched in 2021. The CCRF will provide funding over two years to regional development agencies across Canada to make them safer, environmentally friendly and accessibility. The TRF is designed to help tourism organizations grow, while meeting public health requirements.
Receiving funding are:
CCRF PROJECTS
• Town of Shelburne: $187,500 to update and modernize the King Street Family Centre
• Mahone Bay Centre Society: $145,966 to update the Mahone Bay Centre’s facilities
• Broad Cove Community Association: $125,756 to update the Broad Cove Community Hall
• Cape Sable Historical Society: $112,681 for renovations to The Old Court House museum
• Region of Queens and Autism Nova Scotia: $100,000 for the universally-designed play park and splash pad
• South Shore Fieldhouse Society: $94,736 for upgrades to the HB Studios Sports Centre
• Chester Yacht Club: $90,000 for dock upgrades and boat lifting services
• Liverpool Curling Club: $79,462 for energy efficiency upgrades
• Mahone Bay United Soccer Association: $77,700 for field upgrades
• Queens County Fair Association: $77,073 for pavilion upgrades and accessible washrooms
• The Forties Community Centre: $66,677 for facility upgrades
• Medway Community Forest Co-operative Ltd: $53,369 for new trails between Annapolis Royal and Kejimkujik
• Shelburne Historical Society: $43,729 for upgrades to the Shelburne County Museum
• Bridgewater Tennis Club: $38,500 for tennis court repairs and resurfacing and upgrades to the clubhouse and storage building
• Shelburne Curling Club: $31,413 for facility upgrades
• Town of Clark’s Harbour: $19,552 for upgrades to the community comfort centre
• Sable River Community Hall: $12,375 for upgrades to the hall
• Through the Years Day Care and Community Centre: $8,886 for playground and basketball court upgrades and accessibility upgrades
TRF PROJECTS
• 2022 International 49er, 49erfx and International Nacra 17 World Championship Sailing Regatta: $498,000 for upgrades to the event area, including infrastructure upgrades to the Hubbards waterfront
• South Shore Tourism Cooperative Limited: $379,602 to develop winter tourism events
• White Point Beach Resort: $10,000 to build an Oceanfront Treehouse experience for couples
• Boxing Rock Brewing Company Limited: $76,222 for in structure upgrades and a digital marketing campaign
• Sidanna Retreat: $74,684 for new facilities and guest experiences