News Release

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2005

Meat Cove Welcomes Tourists

Meat Cove, NS – Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney–Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced ECBC funding for the Meat Cove Development and CAP Association to improve outdoor tourism-related infrastructure in the community.

“The scenery in the Meat Cove area is simply breathtaking,” says
MP Eyking. “The nearby Cabot Trail enjoys upwards of 400,000 tourists annually and with the appropriate amenities, Meat Cove can expect to generate increased tourism revenues.”

The Meat Cove Development and CAP Association will expand the parking area, improve access to the beach area, enhance the boardwalk and trail system in the community and add new washrooms and signage. These improvements will result in increased visitation that will benefit the local economy.

“These upgrades have allowed us to enhance the beauty that has always been present in the community of Meat Cove,” says Derrick MacLellan, Coordinator of the Meat Cove Development and CAP Association. “With new tourism infrastructure we are creating an environment that is more welcoming to tourists, providing them with the services they need.”

Located on the northern tip of Cape Breton, Meat Cove is a scenic community just off the Cabot Trail. Steps have already been taken to improve the community’s appeal with the construction of a visitor/community centre that provides internet access, information about the area, washroom facilities and a place to buy light snacks. This new centre and the new initiatives being spearheaded by the Development and CAP Association will help add to the community’s appeal.

The total cost of the project is $55,058. ECBC will provide a
non-repayable contribution of $22,180 through ACOA’s Business Development Program.

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:

MARK EYKING, MP FOR SYDNEY-VICTORIA, ANNOUNCED
A $22,180 INVESTMENT FROM ECBC TO UPGRADE TOURISM-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN MEAT COVE.

“WITH OVER 400,000 TOURISTS VISITING THE NEARBY CABOT TRAIL ANNUALLY, MEAT COVE CAN EXPECT TO GENERATE INCREASED TOURISM REVENUES BY PROVIDING ENHANCED AMENITIES TO VISITORS,” SAYS
MP EYKING.

THE MEAT COVE DEVELOPMENT AND CAP ASSOCIATION WILL EXPAND THE PARKING AREA, IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE BEACH, ENHANCE THE BOARDWALK AND TRAIL SYSTEM AND ADD NEW WASHROOMS AND SIGNAGE.

TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS $55,058. ECBC WILL PROVIDE A
NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION OF $22,180 THROUGH ACOA’S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Valerie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honorable Joseph McGuire
Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241

Office of Mark Eyking
MP Sydney-Victoria
(902) 567-6275

Derrick MacLellan
Coordinator, Meat Cove Development and CAP Association
(902) 383-2281

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