Residents of Port Hood are working on a design plan to expand existing businesses and attract new ones, with support from the provincial, federal and municipal governments.
“Port Hood’s business community has shown a commitment to development, and a willingness to work together on a plan of action,” said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Michel Samson.
“When we see this kind of forward thinking and collaboration, the province is ready to be a partner and contribute to economic growth in rural communities.”
The project will include a development plan for a facade and streetscape program that builds on the community’s identity of Port Hood by the Sea.
“The federal government recognizes that a successful business environment is essential to sustain vibrant communities,” said Rob Moore, Minister of State, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency,(ACOA). “The Port Hood facade program will allow for improvements to the local business community that will help increase tourism revenues and support economic growth in the region for years to come.”
The Port Hood and Area Development Society will lead the project. Once complete, the plan is expected to provide the area with a vision of development for the next 15 to 20 years.
“Our society is fortunate to have an active board and strong volunteer base that wants to see our community take control of our future,” said project chair Patricia vanZutphen. “We’ve been successful with several initiatives that have created an environment for growth, and we’re confident this will be another success story.”
The province will contribute $13,800 towards the $46,000 plan. The government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, will contribute $23,000. The Municipality of the County of Inverness, and the society will contribute $5,000 and $4,200 respectively.
“With the collaboration of the community and all levels of government, this is certainly a project that Inverness is very excited about,” said Municipality of the County of Inverness Warden Duart MacAulay. “This plan will not only serve our community into the future, it also complements many of our completed projects aimed at developing business opportunities.”
Provincial funding for this project comes from the Community Economic Development Fund. For more information visit www.novascotia.ca/econ .
Source: Release
