News Release

For Immediate Release                                          December 20, 2001

REDEVELOPMENT OF NORTH HIGHLANDS MUSEUM HELPED BY STRATEGIC COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND


Cape North, N.S. - December 20, 2001 - Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, today announced the first project under the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) in his riding. SCIF projects will help local communities strengthen their economic base in order to attract investment and job creation.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that building a strong economy in Atlantic Canada begins with local communities with the people who live and work there,” said Mr. Eyking, on behalf of the Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. “The announcement we are making today is an example of our Government’s commitment to helping local communities with strategic projects that are identified as essential to their long-term economic growth.” 

The North Highlands Community Organization will carry out a complete redevelopment and expansion of the North Highlands Community Museum. The project will involve the partial demolition of the existing structure and the construction of a new 2,400 square foot addition. 

This will allow the organization to operate year round with the addition of winterized floor space to house a genealogy centre, Community Access Program (CAP) site, a multi-purpose/resource room, a climate controlled vault for proper storage of artifacts and records, an expanded gift shop area, public washrooms and a small staff kitchen.

The museum acts as a visitor information centre and it supports other local enterprises by displaying promotional material. This project provides an accessible facility that will better inform and enlighten visitors. 

“For the past 20 years the North Highlands Community Organization has operated and continually upgraded this museum with very little outside financial assistance. The organization has been a major contributor to the preservation and interpretation of the region’s heritage and to its tourism industry. The SCIF funding announced is being used for a very worthy project”, said Mr. Eyking. 

The total estimated cost of the project is $400,000 and Strategic Community Investment Fund will contribute $175,000. 

The Strategic Community Investment Fund provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances, among other activities, the development of strategic sectors such as tourism.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund is a component of the $700-million Atlantic Investment Partnership, a five-year Government of Canada initiative designed to help Atlantic Canadians compete in the global, knowledge-based economy. The Fund is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jennifer Savoy
Office of the Honourable Robert G. Thibault
Tel: (613) 941-7291 
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Mark Eyking, MP’s Office
Tel.: (902) 567-6275
Fax: (902) 564-2479

Marcie Stanley, Communications 
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation 
Tel: (902) 564-7876 
Fax: (902) 564-3825