March 6, 2019 – Alma, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Supporting tourism in both big cities and small towns throughout Atlantic Canada is essential to growing this important economic sector. By investing in our tourism sector, we attract new visitors, grow businesses and create new ones, generating economic growth.
The Village of Alma continues to work on the steps outlined in Vision Alma's Community Plan for Tourism, to create a tourism hub in the centre of the village.
With the help of the Government of Canada, the village will build a new facility on the site of the former Consolidated School building to add to the available visitor amenities and community infrastructure. The Government of Canada is providing an additional non-repayable contribution of $300,000 towards this project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, along with Village of Alma officials, made the announcement today.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region's tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs across the region. This bold approach is in line with Canada's Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
Atlantic Canada has character and a geography that draws visitors from across Canada and around the world. Tourism is of strategic importance to Atlantic Canada. That's why further growing the region's tourism industry is a key goal of the Atlantic Growth Strategy."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"There is a huge opportunity for business growth, jobs, and by extension more vibrant communities by embracing Tourism. Congratulations to the Village of Alma for their actions to seize this economic opportunity, and their commitment to promoting and sharing this beautiful area with even more visitors from around the world. Investments like today's will help keep visitors in the area benefitting local businesses. This is especially important with the Fundy Trail connector roads scheduled to open through to Alma in 2021."
- Alaina Lockhart, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
"The generous contribution made available by the Government of Canada through ACOA will enable us to complete Vision Alma and we will be proud to globally showcase the result of working with the federal and provincial governments to enhance the Alma Tourism experience. Our residents are pleased to be part of this vision and have been anxiously waiting for the visual portion of this enormous project."
- Kirstin Shortt, Mayor of Alma
Quick facts
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The additional non-repayable Government of Canada investment is made possible through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF).
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The ICF focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities.
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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.
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On May 24, 2016 the Government of Canada, through ACOA, announced an initial investment of $845,631 for Vision Alma's Community Plan for Tourism.
