Government of Canada Gets Shovels in the Ground in Shelburne

November 13, 2009

From left to right: Rod Rose, Chair of the Board, South West Shore Development Authority, Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore - St. Margaret's, the Honourable Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture, Minister of Environment and MLA for Shelburne, and Sherm Embree, Warden for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne and Secretary for the Woodlands Multi-Purpose Trail Association.


SHELBURNE (NS) – The Government of Canada is investing more than $105,000 in two community development projects in the Shelburne area. The announcement was made today by Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

 “The investments we are making in these two projects through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) will benefit the tourism industry in Shelburne County,” said Mr. Keddy. “This investment reflects the goals of our Government’s Economic Action Plan by continuing to provide timely and targeted stimulus to communities across Canada.”

Through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the government is providing assistance to the Woodland Multi-purpose Trails Association and the South West Shore Development Agency.

The Woodland Trails Association is using the $55,794 Government of Canada funding to continue to develop the Shelburne trail system from abandoned rail lines. The project activities include brush clearing, chipping, grading, ditching, repairing bridges and culverts as well as establishing trail signage. The project provides visitors with an exceptional opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area, and engage in active living on a multi-use trail.

The province of Nova Scotia has committed $25,000 towards the development of an important long-term tourism destination plan for Shelburne County through Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

"This important plan for Shelburne will add to Nova Scotia's appeal as a world-class tourism destination," said Minister of Economic and Rural Development, Percy Paris. "This community-led initiative demonstrates how vision, partnerships and collaboration are vital to building strong, sustainable communities.”

 “We look at this trail as an opportunity for residents to enjoy their local surroundings, and for visitors to have another reason to extend their stay in our spectacular natural environment,” said Sherman Embree, Secretary of the Woodland Multi-use Trail Association.

The South West Shore Development Authority is using the $50,600 federal contribution to develop a new tourism plan for Shelburne County. This project will enable SWSDA, in partnership with the five Shelburne County municipal units, to engage a consultant to develop a long-term tourism destination development plan for Shelburne County. The project will assist the industry in identifying product development opportunities with the most potential to facilitate economic growth.

“This plan will set the strategy for all future efforts to make Shelburne County a desired destination for tourists,” said Rod Rose, Chair of the Board of Directors of the South West Shore Development Association. “We are pleased to provide the expertise we have gained and success we have achieved in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Region over the last four years.”

ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Government of Canada is contributing more than $105,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund to support tourism development in Shelburne County. The announcement was made today by South Shore – St. Margaret’s Member of Parliament, Gerald Keddy on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. Projects being funded include the extension of the Shelburne off-road trails system and the development of a tourism plan for the Shelburne region.