A new home for the Truro Farmers’ Market will serve as a networking hub for new customers and will provide for new collaboration among vendors, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.
“Our investment will support a viable, indoor venue for local food producers and artisans in Colchester County,” said Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland- Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie. “Our government will continue taking action to help communities build upon their local strengths and to identify new opportunities to diversify local economies.”
The investment will enable the Town of Truro to upgrade the former Truro Fire Hall for use as the Truro Public Market Hall and Farmers’ Market. Vendors will benefit from a permanent, year-round home. Renovations to the former fire hall will accommodate 80 primary and secondary agricultural and artisan vendors, directly benefitting the growth of the artisan, agriculture and processing sectors in Colchester County. The new market will provide a heated, indoor space, suitable to the needs of current and potential vendors. It will also allow for gradual expansion of its operators, allowing the Market—and the community—to welcome more visitors, more often.
“This project will have a positive impact on the Truro Farmers’ Market Co-operative Limited, its vendors and downtown businesses within Colchester County,” said Bill Mills, Mayor of the Town of Truro. “Today’s investment turns two challenges - an underutilized municipally owned heritage building and an outdoor farmers’ market with growth and weather issues – into a solution.”
The Government of Canada’s $179,000 Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) investment is in addition to the Province of Nova Scotia’s contribution of $100,000, the Town of Truro’s contribution of $98,107, the Truro Farmers’ Market Co- operative Limited contribution of $100,000, as well as the Colchester Regional Development Agency contribution of $10,000.
“The Province of Nova Scotia’s financial contribution demonstrates our commitment for the Truro Farmers’ Market and farmers’ markets throughout this province,” said Lenore Zann, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Truro-Bible Hill, on behalf of the Honourable John MacDonell, Minister for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. “We are delighted to be a funding partner - supporting local markets that will help make life better for Nova Scotian families and grow the economy.”
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MP Scott Armstrong today announced that the Government of Canada is investing $179,000 in the Truro Farmers’ Market. MP Armstrong said that the Innovative Communities Fund investment supports a viable, indoor venue for local food producers in Colchester County.
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Denise Doucet
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9304/902-456-3066 (cell)
Email: denise.doucet@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
