December 8, 2004 Kingsport, Nova Scotia Tourism in Kings County received a boost today, following the announcement of two new ACOA investments. The Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Member of Parliament for Kings/Hants, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Nine interpretive panels will be located in various communities along Kings County's Fundy Shore, and a community centre in Kingsport is being built. "We expect to see increased entrepreneurship and tourism opportunities as a result of these community initiatives. Both projects highlight the appeal of living in or visiting Kings County," said Minister Brison. The former general store in the town of Kingsport is being restored and renovated to become a new community centre for the Kingsport surrounding area. Once completed, the centre will house a Community Access Program (C@P) site, the Kingsport Museum, and additional space for community meetings and tourism-related events. ACOA is investing $45,923 for development of the centre through the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF), with $42,000 coming from the Nova Scotia Department of Sport and Recreation and $51,183 from the Kingsport Community Association. "People need safe and accessible places to come together as a community and be active," said Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald. "Our investments in facilities provide opportunities for people to be active in their communities, and will help achieve our goal of improving the health of Nova Scotians." Nine bilingual interpretive panels for the communities of Morden, Hall's Harbour, Kingsport and Port Williams will illustrate the cultural and natural history of the area, including the significant impact of the extreme tides in the Bay of Fundy. The project, initiated by the Kings Community Economic Development Agency, will also involve improvements to the associated tourist infrastructure including arbors, benches, parking areas and boardwalks. ACOA is investing $60,240 in this project through the SCIF program. Additional support for the project was contributed from the provincial and municipal governments. "The interpretive panels and other improvements will make our unique coastline more meaningful to visitors and our communities will feel the effects of this," said Fred Whelan, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Kings. SCIF, launched in 2000, is providing $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances the development of strategic sectors and the adoption of new technology and innovative practices. SCIF is a component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership, a five-year Government of Canada initiative designed to help Atlantic Canadians compete in the global, knowledge-based economy. The Fund is administered by ACOA. FOR BROADCAST USE Tourism in Kings County received a boost today, following the announcement by the Honourable Scott Brison today of two new ACOA investments. The projects include the development and design of nine interpretive panels to be placed along the Fundy Coast in Kings County, explaining the cultural heritage and natural history of the area, and the renovation of a community centre for the residents of Kingsport and surrounding area. The projects involve a total investment of $106,163 by ACOA. - 30 - Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 David Harrigan Media Relations Officer ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 221-1435 Caitlin Rochon Communications Officer Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation (902) 424-7658 Barry Schaffner President Kingsport Community Association (902) 582-7443 Cell: (902) 680-6356 Byron McDonald Development Officer Kings Community Economic Development Association (902) 678-2298
