Confederation Bridge community to increase the number of tourism options
January 30, 2019 – Borden-Carleton, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
New authentic Atlantic Canadian experiences help attract visitors to our shores, provide a boost to the regional economy and support good paying middle class jobs. Prince Edward Island's gateway town of Borden-Carleton is looking to capitalize on this by improving and expanding its tourism offerings, giving in excess of one million visitors who travel across the world famous Confederation Bridge each year more reasons to stop and extend their stay in the area.
The Town will undertake a project that includes improved signage and lighting to strengthen the visitors' tourism experience and the area's overall tourism capacity. By enhancing the quantity and the quality of visitor experiences in the community, Borden-Carleton can grow its economy and establish itself as a must stop location where visitors kick off their Island adventure.
That is why the Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $195,525 for this project. The Province of Prince Edward Island is contributing a non-repayable contribution of $75,000 through the Department of Rural and Regional Development.
Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with Pat Murphy, Prince Edward Island Minister of Rural and Regional Development, made the announcement today.
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will create good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is helping Atlantic Canadian communities access the tools they need to create sustainable economic growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"Prince Edward Island's tourism industry has always been linked to the way visitors arrive at our province. The early ice boats, the ferries and now the Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge over ice-covered water, have all been part of the Island's charm and personality. I am pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting the Town of Borden-Carleton's work to build unique experiences that will encourage visitors to explore PEI's gateway community further."
Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque
"The commitment of $75,000 to the Town of Borden-Carleton will enhance the vibrancy of the area while giving visitors a quality experience to remember.The Province is pleased to further contribute to our rural areas ensuring sustainable economic growth in our communities"
- Pat Murphy, Prince Edward Island Minister of Rural and Regional Development
"The Town of Borden-Carleton is pleased and excited to have support from the federal and provincial governments for this phase of our project. A contribution of $75,000 was also provided through the McCain Food Adjustment Fund. Investment in this project will increase the vibrancy of the waterfront and boost the economic vitality of the Town. The project will concentrate on increasing destination potential by increasing connectivity between two of the Town's main tourism assets, Gateway Village and the Marine Rail Historic Park with the use of new signage and urban design features. These new plans will help us further develop the experiential tourism potential in our town."
Charles MacKenzie, Mayor of the Town of Borden-Carleton
Quick facts
The Government of Canada invested $195,525 in this project through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Rural and Regional Development, contributed $75,000 toward this project.
The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
Eligible recipients include non-commercial/not-for-profit organizations such as local development associations, municipalities and their agencies, business or technology institutes, industry/sector associations, economic development associations, local co-operatives, universities and educational institution.
The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
