Crossroad community wants to keep visitors in the area longer
February 11, 2019 – Kensington, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Enabling Atlantic Canadian communities to build on their tourism offerings helps to attract more visitors to the region, create more jobs and strengthen the local economy. The Town of Kensington, affectionately known as the small town with a lot to offer, boasts a number of attractions including its former railway station, which was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1975. This is one of the many highlights the Town will draw on as it works to develop its tourism potential to entice visitors to learn, play, and enjoy their stay in one of PEI's great small towns.
To grow tourism in the area, the Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Kensington, the Central Coastal Tourism Partnership and other key partners will hire a consultant to work with stakeholders in the area to develop a new tourism strategy. The plan will include community support for common tourism goals, including developing experiential tourism products.
The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $37,500 to the Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce for this project. The Province of Prince Edward Island is contributing $10,000 through the Department of Rural and Regional Development.
The Honourable 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.
"Communities are in the best position to identify their strengths, and engaging professional services can often be the catalyst that transforms great ideas into tangible opportunities. I am pleased that this Government of Canada support to the Chamber for this collaborative approach to strategic planning will help further develop the Town as a must-visit tourism destination."
- The Honourable Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque
"The Town of Kensington offers both a unique rural experience while also providing important services, making it a tremendous destination for visitors and Islanders. The Province is pleased to support the development of a new tourism strategy to further encourage the sustainability, growth and progress of the local economy."
The Honourable Pat Murphy, Prince Edward Island Minister of Rural and Regional Development
"The Town of Kensington is pleased to partner with the Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce, ACOA, the Province of Prince Edward Island and local operators and stakeholders to advance tourism initiatives in our area. We are very excited to see local operators working together to attract Islanders and visitors alike to experience all that Kensington and area have to offer."
Mayor Rowan Caseley, Town of Kensington
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada invested $37,500 in this project through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Rural and Regional Development, contributed $10,000 toward this project.
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The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
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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.
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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.
