The next round of Nova Scotia Moves grants opens today, May 1, creating more opportunities for Nova Scotians to walk, bike, share rides and access public transit.
Government is welcoming applications that actively demonstrate or seek to enhance sustainable transportation options for Nova Scotians.
Nova Scotia Moves is a grant program that supports collaborative, innovative and locally-based solutions to sustainable transportation challenges facing communities across the province.
“Nova Scotia Moves provides accessible and affordable transportation options across the province and is a key ingredient of our sustainable transportation strategy,” said Andrew Younger, Minister of Energy. “Increased sustainable transportation options have a positive impact on local economies, reduce our energy usage, and keep our communities vibrant and healthy.”
The program provides grants of up to $200,000 to help Nova Scotians drive less distance, move more actively and efficiently, use cleaner energy, access a wider range of sustainable transportation options, and engage communities around sustainable transportation issues.
This is the third round of grants. Previous rounds, in 2012 and 2013, saw 65 successful projects receive a total of $2.4 million in funding.
So far, this investment has leveraged more than $3 million in additional financial contributions from municipalities, local businesses, federal agencies and other sources, along with close to $1 million in volunteer contributions.
Some of the Nova Scotia Moves successes include:
— The Ecology Action Centre’s Making Tracks program, which trained close to 2,000 children in 2013 in walking, cycling and skateboarding safety skills
— Construction of a new active transportation route in Yarmouth’s town centre, to be completed this fall
— Expansion of a network of electric vehicle charging stations around the province
— Construction of an energy efficient, artistically inspired bicycle learning hub at the Deanery Project in Ship Harbour, which will host a Women on Wheels program this weekend, May 2-4.
Several transit providers have also received funding, including the Sou’West Transit Association, which provides service to Shelburne County seniors and other people with barriers to transportation. Prior to receiving funding from the grant program, the charitable organization was often above capacity despite the best efforts of its volunteer drivers.
The funding received from Nova Scotia Moves went towards the purchase of a small fleet vehicle to help meet the demand.
“Being without a vehicle in rural Nova Scotia can make it very difficult to access even essential services such as healthcare, food banks and grocery stores,” said Renata Tweedy, Sou’West Transit Association. “We are thankful for the support of the Nova Scotia Moves program to help purchase a fuel-efficient car. The expansion of our fleet has made us better equipped to meet the transportation needs of Shelburne County residents.”
Applications for the third round of Nova Scotia Moves grants must be received by Monday, June 23. For more information on how to apply, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation/nova-scotia-moves.asp .
FOR BROADCAST USE
The next round of Nova Scotia Moves grants opens today (May
1st), creating more opportunities for Nova Scotians to walk,
bike, share rides and access public transit.
Organizations have until June 23rd to send in proposals
that actively demonstrate or seek to enhance sustainable
transportation options for Nova Scotians.
The program provides grants of up to 200-thousand dollars
to help Nova Scotians drive less distance, move more actively
and efficiently, use cleaner energy, access a wider range of
sustainable transportation options, and engage communities
around sustainable transportation issues.
This is the third round of Nova Scotia Moves grants.
Previous rounds, in 2012 and 2013, saw 65 successful projects
receive a total of 2.4-million dollars in funding, and leverage
over 3-million dollars in additional investment.
Source: Release
