NS Government Release:

Two provincial programs will help municipalities create beautiful, inviting spaces and provide opportunities for people to work in their communities.

Through the Beautification and Streetscaping Program, 27 projects will share a total of $569,968 to enhance the beauty of communities and attract more visitors to local areas.

Fourteen projects will receive $311,598 through the Community Works Program. The program creates job opportunities for youth and unemployed people to gain skills and experience in their fields.

“Investing in beautification projects helps make our communities more vibrant, fosters local pride and encourages economic development,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr. “The Community Works Program allows municipalities to hire people to work on community-focused projects, such as municipal planning, accessibility or landscaping projects.”

“We’re thrilled to have been selected for the beautification and streetscaping grant, which will play a vital role in showcasing our Acadian heritage for the upcoming Congrès mondial acadien, an event our municipality is proudly co-hosting in August 2024. With the assistance of this grant, we will be able to acquire a series of Acadian banners and flags, enhancing the visual appeal of both our municipality and our neighbouring areas. These banners will serve as a visual representation of our rich Acadian heritage.”
     – Danny Muise, Warden, Municipality of the District of Argyle

“The community works grant that Bridgewater is receiving will be used to help fund an asset management co-ordinator position for our town. The person who ultimately fills this role will work collaboratively with our management team to create a long-term plan for the sustained maintenance of our community’s new and existing capital assets. That work will include developing asset-management strategies to maximize benefits while reducing risk, ultimately ensuring that our residents are getting the best services and value for their tax dollars.”
     – David Mitchell, Mayor, Town of Bridgewater

Quick Facts:
— both programs are application-based
— both programs fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of eligible municipal projects to a maximum of $25,000
— 63 people have been hired through the Community Works Program since it started in 2019-20

Additional Resources:
The list of Beautification and Streetscaping Program projects is available at: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/beautification-and-streetscaping-program-grant-recipients

The list of Community Works Program projects is available at: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/community-works-program-grant-recipients