Concerns expressed over benefits to Colchester County from CNTA

TRURO – Colchester County Council is expressing concern over how much benefit the municipality receives from the Central Nova Tourism Association ( CNTA).

“I guess what I’m looking at, is how much benefit is there to some of the areas in our county in being involved in the CNTA,” Mayor Bob Taylor said in a recent council meeting during discussion on a funding request for the association’s annual tourism conference on Feb. 28 and March 1.

Taylor said former Tatamagouche- area councillor Jimmy LeFresne had previously expressed concern from some tourism operators on the North Shore about a lack of benefit from the CNTA.

“I don’t think it has changed,” current area Coun. Mike Gregory said of that sentiment.

West Colchester Coun. Tom Taggart said he has heard similar concern expressed from some tourism operators in his district.

Taggart also expressed concern about a lack of signage directing visitors to the information booth at the Glooscap Heritage Centre in Millbrook.

“To me, they’re hidden in there,” he said of recent difficulty in locating the centre while heading there on business.

“And they served the purpose well. But I couldn’t find them.”

Coun. Ron Cavanaugh suggested that could become more of an issue when the “civic centre is up and running” and more people are coming to the area seeking directions.

Council committee recommended a motion to council to approve $ 1,500 in support for the CNTA, which had requested $ 2,000.

The municipality currently provides core funding to the association of $ 10,987.

Before any further funding requests are honoured, however, council said it would like to hear a presentation from the CNTA to justify what benefits it provides to the greater municipality.