News Release

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2002 

ECBC supports Festivals and Events in Richmond County

Sydney, NS - A wide variety of Festivals and Events in Richmond County 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 throughout Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave. In Richmond County, $25,770 has been committed to seven local events. 

"The program is important to growing the tourism and culture industries on the Island. These festivals and events reflect our unique heritage and culture and are a rich and important part of our lives," 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 of 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 seven projects in Richmond County that received funding for 2002 under this program are:

Rendez-vous 2002	$2,238
River Bourgeois Festival	$7,500
L'Ardoise Acadian Festival	$7,500
Isle Madame Seafood Festival	$2,232
Harbourfest	$2,000
The Stone Mountain Music Festival	$2,000
Johnstown Milling Frolic	$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