News Release

For immediate release
May 18, 2004

Infrastructure Improvements to Enhance Port Morien

Port Morien, N.S. – Two significant infrastructure improvement projects aimed at enhancing the community of Port Morien will receive funding form ECBC, Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton, announced today.

“These projects will help enhance the image of the village, build increased confidence and spur new entrepreneurial activity in the community,” said
Mr. Cuzner.

The Port Morien Development Association (PMDA) has received assistance to make enhancements to the streetscape of the Port Morien community. The project will include developing a village square, historical plaques, street lighting as well as boardwalk and beach front improvements.

The total estimated cost of this project is $314,180. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will provide a non-repayable contribution of
$234,952 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF).

In a second project, the PMDA and the Port Morien branch of the Royal Canadian Legion have received assistance to upgrade the Port Morien Community Centre. Renovations will include new windows, exterior siding as well as improvements to the basement, kitchen and parking lot.

The total estimated cost of the project is $111,880. ECBC will provide a
non-repayable contribution of $76,388 through ACOA’s SCIF.

“All of the improvements will help preserve the significant history of our area and add to the positive experience of visitors and locals,” said Ron Peach president of the PMDA. “The improvements to the village will instil a sense of pride in our community and the renovations to the centre will enable us to host events such as dinner theatre and Celtic Colours concerts.”

The Strategic Community Investment Fund provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances economic development.

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.

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FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:

TWO SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY OF PORT MORIEN WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY BY RODGER CUZNER, MP FOR BRAS D’OR-CAPE BRETON

THE PORT MORIEN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (PMDA) HAS RECEIVED A $234,952 NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH ECBC TO MAKE ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PORT MORIEN COMMUNITY. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VILLAGE SQUARE AND BOARDWALK AND BEACH FRONT IMPROVEMENTS. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS PROJECT IS $314,180.

IN ADDITION, THE PMDA AND THE PORT MORIEN BRANCH OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION HAVE RECEVIED A $76,388 NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION THROUGH ECBC TO UPGRADE THE PORT MORIEN COMMUNITY CENTRE. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS PROJECT IS $111,880.

MR. CUZNER SAYS THE UPGRADES HELP DEVELOP COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IN TURN WILL ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF THE VILLAGE, BUILD INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND SPUR NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Minister of ACOA
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Rodger Cuzner
MP Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763

Ron Peach
President, Port Morien Development Association
Tel: (902) 737-2292

Francis Thomas
President, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 55
Tel: (902) 849-3326

D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617