Downtown Sydney thinks big to attract more people and boost business
News release
Government of Canada supports efforts to revitalize main streets, downtowns and neighbourhoods
November 28, 2022 · Sydney, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Giant block letters spelling out S-Y-D-N-E-Y were unveiled today along downtown Sydney’s boardwalk. The new landmark is part of a larger revitalization project spearheaded by the Sydney Downtown Development Association (SDDA) to reanimate the area and boost business growth.
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 and a half 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 important hubs.
Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria, announced an investment of $150,000 through the Rediscover Main Streets initiative for the Sydney Downtown Development Association (SDDA). The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This support will help the SDDA create a welcoming environment to draw people back downtown. With input from the community, the SDDA is undertaking activities such as the installation of the Sydney block letters and new lighting along Charlotte Street. These visual elements will be accompanied by a multimedia marketing campaign to help promote the area and all it has to offer.
The Government of Canada is committed to helping small businesses and local communities recover and work together to build a strong and resilient economic recovery that benefits every Canadian.
Quotes
“Our main streets, downtowns and neighborhoods are at the heart of our vibrant rural and urban communities here in Atlantic Canada. Projects like this one are breathing new life into our communities big and small, and will encourage residents and visitors to come out and enjoy everything Sydney has to offer.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Sydney Downtown Development Association plays an important role in promoting commercial activity in the downtown core. We’re pleased to support them as they work to create a vibrant atmosphere where people can connect and businesses can thrive. There is so much to see and do in our neighbourhood—this project will help more people discover it.”
- Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria
“Many residents and visitors will have another wonderful space to make memories in our beautiful downtown and waterfront. This is another great addition to the transformation that is underway in downtown Sydney.”
- Amanda McDougall, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
"The growth of the local businesses and tourism sector in Downtown Sydney continues to flourish following the pandemic. Place making has been a priority for the Sydney Downtown Development Association for a number of years. The installation of these beautiful block letters creates a landmark which will draw community members downtown and welcome visitors to the area. This installation, along with the marketing and lighting components of our project, would not be possible without the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency."
- Michelle Wilson, Executive Director, Sydney Downtown Development Association
Quick facts
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The Sydney Downtown Development Association (SDDA) is a voice and trusted resource for the businesses that operate in Downtown Sydney.
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SDDA’s membership includes over 200 businesses with a goal to make Downtown Sydney the top destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Cape Breton - Unama'ki.
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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
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Michelle Wilson
Executive Director
Sydney Downtown Development Association
902-562-3399
902 304 9996 (cell)
michelle@downtownsydney.ca
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