News Release

For immediate releases                                                        August 3, 2001

SYDNEY MINES, N.S. – A community-driven downtown revitalization endeavour is set to enter its next phase in Sydney Mines. The Sydney Mines Renewal Association in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality will continue infrastructure improvements in the downtown. Government funding for the project was announced during an event held at the Carman United Church Hall in Sydney Mines today.

The total estimated cost of the project is $700,000. The Province of Nova Scotia will contribute $275,000 through Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations’ Provincial Capital Assistance Program. ECBC will contribute $275,000 through the Fisheries Restructuring Adjustment Measures Program (FRAM). The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will contribute $150,000. The project is expected to result in the creation of a number of short-term jobs during construction, and eight full-time positions as a result of future private sector investment.

The work on the downtown core of the community is an important component of a larger scale strategy to bring about new economic activity while contributing to a revitalized community spirit. Phase II work will extend from Main Street at the railroad tracks to the Fraser Avenue intersection and will include key community infrastructure necessary to encourage new private sector investment in the downtown core.

“The pulse of any community is its downtown and it has been the people of Sydney Mines that rallied strong to take control of their economic future,” said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. “This is a positive development that benefits the entire community, its residents and its economy - one that will have long lasting effects. The Province is pleased to build on our investment and help clear the way to a stronger local economy.”

"This community has turned its deep concern about the economic decline of Sydney Mines into action. The Government of Canada is pleased to work in partnership with this community organization as it spearheads projects that are fostering growth and development," said Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney Victoria, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Robert G.Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

"The ongoing support we have received to improve our community's economy is greatly appreciated. Without support from all levels of government, this community developed renewal and revitalization strategy would not have proceeded as fast as it has or to the extent that it has," said Rev. Karen Ralph, Chair, Sydney Mines Renewal Association.

The Sydney Mines Renewal Association was established in 1998 to foster economic development and renewal projects in the downtown core of Sydney Mines and to improve the social and economic well being of the entire community. The present focus of the volunteer organization is on projects that revitalize the downtown area. Phase I of the program involved the rehabilitation and restoration of downtown structures following a common design theme which enhanced the image and economic viability of the downtown.

Federal funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 Federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

In June 1998, the Government of Canada announced that $93.8 million would be set aside for the economic development component of the $730 million Fisheries Restructuring and Adjustment Measures (FRAM) in the four Atlantic provinces. The amount available for affected communities in Nova Scotia is $21.3 million. This amount is available over three years for long-term, sustainable economic development initiatives in communities and areas in Nova Scotia affected by the permanent downsizing of the Atlantic groundfishery. On Cape Breton Island, ECBC works in partnership with key regional and community development stakeholders to implement the economic development initiatives of the FRAM program.

For Further Information Contact:

Robyn McIsaac
Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations
Tel: (902) 424-6336; Cell (920) 478-7655

Mark Eyking, M.P.
Tel:(902) 567-6275

D.A. Landry, ECBC
Director of Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617
Fax:(902) 564-3825

Jennifer Savoy
Minister Robert G. Thibault’s Office
Tel: (613) 941-7291
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Rev. Karen Ralph
Chair, Sydney Mines Renewal Association
Tel: (902) 736-6217