7 December 2010
DIGBY, Nova Scotia
The highly popular and rapidly expanding Wharf Rat Motorcycle Rally will undertake a major marketing effort, with support from the Government of Canada.
"Our government is pleased to support the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Association and the Wharf Rat Rally in their work to expand this annual event," said Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "Our investment will assist a very popular tourism-generating event enhance its marketing efforts and attract even more visitors to this part of Nova Scotia."
The Wharf Rat Motorcycle Rally has grown from a few hundred motorcycles six years ago to an event that involves an estimated 23,000 motorcycles and 80,000 visitors, making it Atlantic Canada's largest motorcycle rally. Major beneficiaries include restaurants, B&Bs, hotels-motels and local merchants.
"The Wharf Rat Motorcycle rally has grown to the point where professional assistance is required in marketing and partnership development to ensure continue growth and success," said Paul Stackhouse, Chair of the Board of the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA). "ACOA's support for this effort will benefit the entire region."
The event has resulted in significant economic benefits for Digby and its neighbouring counties of Annapolis and Yarmouth. Event organizers calculate the economic impact to be in the area of $5.5 million annually.
The federal investment, through ADEDA, will result in the engagement of the professional expertise required to develop industry partnerships to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the rally.
The Government of Canada investment is being made through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund. Since February 2006 the Government of Canada, through ACOA has invested more than $320 million in Nova Scotia.
This project is supported by Team Southwest Nova Scotia, a committee of community and government members that was launched in April 2010. Team Southwest works with local businesses and communities to identify and develop strategic, long-term solutions to help the economies of South West Nova Scotia communities rebuild after experiencing significant challenges
FOR BROADCAST USE:
West Nova MP Greg Kerr today announced $35,000 in federal funding to support a marketing initiative by the Digby Wharf Rat Motorcycle Rally Association and the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency.
The ACOA investment will result in the engagement of the professional expertise required to develop industry partnerships and ensure the long-term sustainability of the rally. This unique local event annually attracts as many as 80,000 visitors to the area.
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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
