6 April 2010
O'Leary, Prince Edward Island
The PEI Potato Museum will be expanding to preserve more of PEI history thanks to funding from both federal and provincial governments. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and Robert Henderson, Member of the Legislative Assembly for O’Leary-Inverness, today announced investments totaling over $195,000 for the museum’s expansion.
“Our Government, through its Economic Action Plan, recognizes the importance of maintaining community and cultural infrastructure and is pleased to invest more than $43,000 in the PEI Potato Museum,” said Minister Shea. “This project, made possible through the Community Adjustment Fund, not only generates additional local economic activity but it also supports the long-term contribution this facility makes to the history of agriculture in PEI.”
The museum’s mission is to record, preserve and communicate the story of the family farmer and the potato. The funding supports a 7,200 sq. ft. expansion to the facility and includes the addition of antique farm equipment and machinery. "The PEI Potato Museum honours an industry that has been second-to-none in its contribution to Prince Edward Island's economy. As a tourist attraction, as an educational facility and as a tribute to generations of hard-working Island farmer, this museum is a valued part of the Island community," said Mr. Henderson, on behalf of the Honourable Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning.
The PEI Potato Museum opened its doors in 1993 and since then thousands of people have enjoyed self-guided tours of the facility.
“We are pleased that the federal and provincial government recognizes the importance of both the agricultural and potato industry and the contribution that the museum makes to interpret the industries, both historically and presently,” said Stanley MacDonald, Chair of PEI Potato Museum Board. “In the new Antique Machinery gallery they will show the ingenuity for those who continue to work in the production of the much valued food market for Islanders and Canadians.”
The Government of Canada is supporting the expansion project with $43,614 from the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), while the province of PEI is contributing $152,050 through the Island Community Fund program.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing a total of $1 billion over two years through CAF to support initiatives that help create and maintain jobs in communities impacted by the economic downturn. Atlantic Canada’s allocation of $100 million under CAF is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea and MLA Robert Henderson today announced an investment totaling over $195,000 for the expansion of the PEI Potato Museum.
The federal and provincial funding supports a 7,200 sq. ft. expansion to the museum.
The Government of Canada is investing over $43,000 in the project through its Community Adjustment Fund, while the Province of PEI is contributing $152,050 through the Island Community Fund.
– 30 –
INFORMATION:
Rebecca Bruce
ACOA PEI and Tourism
902-368-0264
Ron Ryder
PEI Dept. of Innovation and Advanced Learning
902-620-3774
