Edmundston got a boost through Rediscover Main Streets initiative
News release
October 14, 2022 · Edmundston, 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.
Today, René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, announced an investment of $89,500 through Rediscover Main Streets for the Office du tourisme Edmundston Madawaska Inc. (OTEM). The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This support allowed OTEM to revitalize Edmundston’s downtown by helping them organize and promote the Edmundston Jazz and Blues Festival as well as Festival Royal, a new celebration of electro/rock music. Both festivals took place in July, and over 6,000 people took part, increasing visitor traffic at Edmundston area hotels, restaurants and shops.
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 neighbourhoods are at the heart of our vibrant rural and urban communities here in Atlantic Canada. This initiative will help breathe new life in our communities big and small, and encourage residents and visitors to come out and enjoy everything the region has to offer.
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
"The success of Main Street businesses is critical to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities. The investment announced today has helped to reinvigorate Edmundston’s downtown core and brought economic benefits to the entire Madawaska region."
- René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche
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
Dominique Bouchard
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Dominique.Bouchrd@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
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