The Government of Canada is investing over $140,000 in the South Shore Community Service Association to expand a facility that employs disabled workers in a supportive work environment. The Association operates Bonny Lea Farm, a bark mulch manufacturing facility in the community of Windsor Road, Nova Scotia. Bonny Lea enables staff to gain work experience, contribute to their community and participate in the local economy in a meaningful way.
“Bonny Lea Farm’s expansion means more opportunity for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our government’s investment of over $140,000 will allow the farm to operate year round and increase the output of their sought-after product.”
This 5,000 square foot expansion project is being supported through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, and will allow Bonny Lea to operate year-round, increase their production of consumer-ready products that embrace a variety of themes associated with greener living, and create more jobs. It will also generate additional revenues to support ongoing and future community development activities that support vulnerable members of the Chester Municipality.
The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services is also investing $77,800 in this project and the client is investing $51,143.
"This investment will make life better for Nova Scotians with disabilities as it supports more opportunities for individuals to live and work as independently as possible in their own community," said Minister of Community Services, Denise Peterson-Rafuse. "Bonny Lea has long been a wonderful example of how a little support and encouragement can make a huge difference in the confidence and well being of individuals with disabilities and we are proud to support them."
“This support from our federal and provincial governments will allow us to increase our commitment to workers with challenges, and will allow them to increase their commitment to their community while they gain valuable work experience,” said David Outhouse, Managing Director of Bonny Lea Farm.
Through the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is providing a timely, targeted, stimulus to communities in Nova Scotia to help reduce the impacts of the global economic downturn. Since taking office in February 2006, the Government of Canada, through ACOA, has announced investments totaling nearly $317 million in 540 projects throughout Nova Scotia.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
ACOA is investing over $140,000 in the expansion of a facility that employs workers with physical and intellectual challenges in Lunenburg County, enabling them to hire more employees. ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield said the expansion to Bonny Lea Farm will allow the farm to operate year-round and increase their output. Nova Scotia Community Services is also contributing nearly $78,000 to the project.
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Christopher Brooks
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4790/902- 789-5184 (cell)
E-mail: Chris.Brooks@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lucas Wide
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Community Services
902-424-4449
David Outhouse
Managing Director
Bonny Lea Farm
902-273-3012
