Helping Arichat businesses succeed on an improved Main Street

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Richmond County undertakes revitalization and façade improvement project for historic Cape Breton community

January 17, 2019 – Arichat, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Strong communities are those that have a vibrant business sector, modern infrastructure and have the ability to attract visitors from near and far. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting the Municipality of the County of Richmond with a project to revitalize Arichat’s Main Street with new sidewalks, a fresh streetscape and a façade improvement program for local businesses.

Transformed and improved public spaces will help strengthen the region’s tourism attraction and enhance the quality of life for residents. Enhancements will include new sidewalks, street lighting, benches, recyclable units, bicycle racks, green spaces, trees, signage and more. The Main Street improvements will ensure Arichat’s downtown business district will be more accessible, inclusive, safe and attractive to new business operators.

Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, made a Government of Canada announcement today in support of the revitalization of Arichat’s Main Street on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.

Quotes

“Local businesses benefit from increased tourism traffic and improved public spaces. Community improvement projects such as this enhance businesses’ ability to attract new investment and make Atlantic Canadian communities better places to live, shop and visit.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“One of the many strengths of Cape Breton’s economy is the growth of rural-based businesses and their contribution to the Island way of life. Façade improvement programs and revitalized streetscapes help fuel an innovative, inclusive and modern economy, which will help the rural areas of Cape Breton to grow, attract visitors and thrive.”

-       Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso

“Community betterments like installation of sidewalks, streetscaping and façade programs are key components in local economic development and enhancement of business and commercial neighbourhoods. The community of Arichat will certainly benefit from this investment as it will contribute to increasing the potential for further private enterprise development and community pride.”

-       Jason MacLean, Warden, Municipality of the County of Richmond 

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada invested $700,944 in this project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund.

  • The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities. 

  • Eligible recipients include non-commercial/not-for-profit organizations such as local development associations, municipalities and their agencies, business or technology institutes, industry/sector associations, economic development associations, local co-operatives, universities and educational institution. 

  • The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

  • Highway 206 is the main street and commercial corridor in Arichat located on the island of Isle Madame, which is a designated French cultural region with a 70 per cent Acadian population.

  • Main street businesses will benefit from the new streetscaping plan including the St. Anne Community and Nursing Care Centre, whose full-time residents will utilize the new sidewalk extensively.

Associated links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca

Yvonne Boudreau
Municipal Clerk, Communications Administrator
Municipality of the County of Richmond
902-226-3971
yboudreau@richmondcounty.ca 

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