News Release

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2002

ECBC supports Festivals and Events in the Inverness County
and Mulgrave

Sydney NS - A wide variety of Festivals and Events in Inverness County and Mulgrave have received financial support from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) through a new pilot program it launched this year. The Festival and Events program has committed $214,801 to 44 projects. In Inverness County and Mulgrave, $54,920 has been committed to ten local events. 

"Festivals and special events are proven generators of the tourism activity and they are an important aspect of Cape Breton Island's growing cultural tourism sector. Studies have determined that festivals and events serve to extend visits and increase tourist expenditures. With the upgrading of facilities and promotion of festivals through this program, Cape Breton Island's reputation as a prime tourist destination is maintained and enhanced," said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d'Or B Cape Breton, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

The Festival and Events program is designed to build capacity and provide quality attractions that will enhance both the tourism and arts and culture sectors on the Island. 

Rick Beaton, Vice President of ECBC indicated that in spring of 2002, ECBC issued a request for proposal (RFP) inviting interested parties to submit a proposal for a festival or event that demonstrated strategic economic impact, project feasibility and sustainability. ECBC offered grants of up to $7,500 to incorporated, non-profit organizations that could demonstrate strategic economic impact, project feasibility and sustainability. "We are very pleased with the response we received from the RFP."

The ten projects in Inverness County and Mulgrave that received funding under this program are:

Inverness County
2002 Waterfront Summer Events - Port Hawkesbury	$7,000
2002 Festival & Events - Port Hawkesbury	$7,500
Ship Harbour Days - Port Hawkesbury	$6,800
Kintyre Farm Scottish Concert - Inverness	$3,500
Chestico Days	$7,500
Mabou Ceilidh Days	$7,500
Broad Cove Scottish Concert	$6,400
Whycocomagh Summer Festival	$4,760
Mulgrave
Scotia Days	$1,660
Concert Cove	$2,300

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

For further information contact:

D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
902-564-3617