November 20, 2004 Alberton, Prince Edward Island After months of dedicated work and planning, government officials and local citizens officially opened the new and improved Main Street in downtown Alberton. The Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Cletus Dunn, MLA for Alberton-Miminegash on behalf of the Province of PEI, and His Worship Pat Murphy, Mayor of the Town of Alberton, took part in ceremonies on Main Street today. The project has been jointly managed by the Alberton Area Development Corporation, the Alberton Business Association and the Town of Alberton. It has led to a number of improvements that have transformed the downtown into an inviting pedestrian environment, making it into a prime destination for both visitors and local shoppers. The revitalization of Main Street is a key element in the long term plan by the Town of Alberton to guide its future infrastructure improvements which are directed at the long- term growth of the local economy and to boost the tourism sector. "This is a proud day for the Alberton area, as we celebrate together the completion of this enhancement project and the beginning of new possibilities for the Alberton area," said Minister McGuire on behalf of the Government of Canada. "I am pleased that the Government of Canada was a key partner in a project that strengthens and showcases downtown Alberton and obviously complements the many enhancements throughout western PEI that have taken place over the last number of years." "The community of Alberton has done a tremendous job in putting this project together," said Cletus Dunn, on behalf of Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie and Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea. "The province was pleased to assist, but it really was the people of this community who had a vision and worked together to make it happen." The streetscape enhancements greatly improved an important section of Main Street creating a pedestrian-friendly shopping experience. Sidewalks have been upgraded; new streetlights have been installed; a new gazebo and many other enhancements have been made to the pond just off Main Street; and, parking improvements and signage will make it easier for visitors to access Main Street offering an excellent first impression to Alberton's downtown. "On behalf of the Town Council, we say thank you to our partners and to the federal and provincial governments for their financial contributions toward this major redevelopment project," said Mayor Pat Murphy. "We know that Alberton has great potential to be a major attraction in western PEI. In making our downtown more attractive to local residents and visitors we believe we have taken an important step forward to ensure our future prosperity." The more than $300,000 enhancement project was financed by all three levels of government. The Town of Alberton provided $50,000 to the project; ACOA's Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) provided $150,000; the Province of PEI provided $40,000 through the Department of Development and Technology and $30,000 through the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Additional financing was provided by the Canada/PEI Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the provincial Department of Development and Technology which contributed $55,418 in participant wages and overhead costs. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Ron Crozier Office of the Minister for ACOA (902) 888-4150 Pat Murphy Mayor of Alberton (902) 853-2720 Ann Thurlow Province of Prince Edward Island (902) 569-0571 Stephen Ramsay Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (902) 566-7686 Wes Harrison ACOA PEI & Tourism (902) 368-0842 wes.harrison@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
