The Truro Development Corporation will undertake a downtown revitalization project in Truro, and the Colchester Regional Development Authority (CoRDA) will develop the Debert Air Industrial Park into the Debert Eco-Industrial Park, funded in part by a $854,000 investment by the Government of Canada.
"Our government is committed to investing in projects that build a foundation for growth and success in communities throughout Nova Scotia," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "By supporting downtown Truro’s revitalization and the development of a new Eco-Industrial Park in Debert, we are helping to build new economic opportunities throughout Colchester County."
ACOA is investing $800,000 though the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to upgrade the commercial district of Downtown Truro, and $54,400 through ICF to help CoRDA develop the Debert Air Industrial Park,.
The Town of Truro has invested $31,000 in the Truro project, with local businesses contributing a further $500,000. For the Debert Industrial Park project, Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development is investing $92,000, the Municipality of Colchester $20,000 and CoRDA $36,000. "The results of this exciting project will help establish Colchester County as a leader in the green economy, by attracting new businesses focusing on the development of sustainable products and encouraging local businesses to become more eco-efficient," said MLA Lenore Zann, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris. "This investment will greatly benefit the community, create good jobs and grow the economy."
"We are very excited to get started on the façade improvements to our downtown core. Truro continues to build on its strengths and we are looking forward to even greater prosperity and success for our citizens and our downtown merchants," said Bill Mills, Mayor of Truro.
"As President of the Downtown Truro Partnership and as a local business operator, I am doubly excited to see this project moving forward," said Mark Sidler. "This will go a long way towards securing the future economic vitality of downtown Truro. This is huge step in the right direction for our community."
"The Debert Air Eco-Industrial Park will be an important community asset for Colchester, and we are anxious to ensure that the important archaeological findings in the area are properly preserved and protected, at the same time as we move forward with our development," said Bob Taylor, Mayor of the Municipality of Colchester.
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:
The Government of Canada is investing over $850,000 in two key infrastructure projects in Colchester County. ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield today announced a $54,400 investment to support upgrades to the Debert Air Industrial Park, as well as $800,000 to support improvements and upgrades to downtown Truro’s shopping district. Minister Ashfield said the investments will create new economic opportunities in Colchester County.
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Christopher Brooks
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4790/902- 789-5184 (cell)
Email: Chris.Brooks@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Bailey Williams
Communications Officer
Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development
902-424-5836
E-mail: williaba@gov.ns.ca
Mark Sidler
President
Truro Development Corporation Limited
902-893-9475
Ron Smith
Executive Director
Colchester Regional Development Authority
902-893-0140
