Chaleur region businesses getting a boost through Rediscover Main Streets initiative
News release
October 13, 2022 · Bathurst, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Atlantic Canada’s main streets, downtowns and neighbourhoods are vibrant spaces where people gather to enjoy all that our urban and rural communities have to offer. After more than two years of the pandemic, people are yearning to safely connect and return to the region’s downtown areas. The Government of Canada, through the Rediscover Main Streets initiative, is supporting community-led projects that will bring energy back to these lively and important community hubs.
Yesterday, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced an investment of $86,092 through Rediscover Main Streets for the Chaleur Chamber of Commerce.
This funding is helping the Chamber with the creation of an interactive web-based map of downtown Bathurst as well as a social media campaign. It also supported new events such as a summer block party and a fall buskers’ weekend. Additionally, the support is helping downtown businesses extend their patio season by adapting and improving their outdoor venues. After two difficult years, this initiative will help reanimate Bathurst’s Main Street, bringing economic benefits to local businesses.
The Rediscover Main Streets initiative helps non-profit organizations team up to create new activities, develop marketing initiatives and promote events, all of which encourage residents and visitors alike to rediscover what the region’s communities have to offer and drive more support for local businesses.
The Government of Canada is committed to helping small businesses and local communities recover and together work hard to build a strong and resilient economic recovery that works for every Canadian.
Quotes
“Our main streets, downtowns and neighborhoods are at the heart of our vibrant rural and urban communities here in Atlantic Canada. This innovative initiative helps breathe new life in our communities big and small, and encourage residents and visitors to come out and enjoy everything the Chaleur region has to offer.
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Enhancing and improving outdoor spaces and finding new ways to encourage people to support local businesses contribute to the vitality of our communities. The investment announced today will expand local events and showcase what our community has to offer.”
- Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst
“We are proud to work in collaboration with the Downtown Bathurst Revitalization Corporation to create a new vision and develop new activities, experiences and events for our downtown. We want our community to rediscover and enjoy what is available to them and convince people from other regions to come and visit us. Shopping local is now more important than ever and creating a new vision can help bring people together to rediscover our hidden gems.”
Julie Pinette, Director General of the Chaleur Chamber of Commerce
Quick facts
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On March 18, 2022, ACOA launched Rediscover Main Streets a $10 million initiative to support locally-driven measures aimed at encouraging Atlantic Canadians and visitors to rediscover main streets and neighbourhoods across the region.
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The Rediscover Main Streets initiative complements other federal, provincial and municipal measures to help businesses and communities build back better.
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, ACOA has invested just under half a billion dollars to help businesses and organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting more than 20,000 jobs in communities across the region.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Danielle Phillips
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Danielle.Phillips@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Julie Pinette
Director General
Chaleur Chamber of Commerce
Julie.Pinette@chaleurchamber.ca
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