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News Release
For immediate release
December 5, 2003
Revitalization of Downtown Sydney Receives Government of
Canada Support
Sydney, N.S. -- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State
responsible for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced funding today, under the
Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) in the Sydney-Victoria riding of
MP
Mark Eyking.
The Sydney Downtown Development Association (SDDA) will undertake a major
revitalization project aimed at enhancing and reviving the downtown core.
Work will include facade and parking lot improvements, improving links to
and along the waterfront, streetscape improvements, landscaping, lighting,
increased signage and marketing. The SDDA has a mandate to beautify,
improve, maintain and promote the downtown Sydney business district. The
focus of this project will be the area bordered by Dorchester and Townsend
Streets between George Street and the Esplanade.
“A revitalized, attractive downtown core will bring people back to the area
and encourage tourism,” says Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria, speaking
on behalf of Minister Byrne. “An attractive and vibrant downtown is an
important component of economic development infrastructure. It leads to
additional investment and job creation while contributing to an improved
community spirit.”
“Since April of 2001, the Sydney Downtown Revitalization Working Committee
and, more recently, the SDDA have been striving to see their completed plans
for the downtown core, through to fruition,” says Bruce Meloney, president
of the SDDA. “We are pleased that improvements are being made to reposition
downtown Sydney as a key cultural, retail, tourist and entertainment
district for the area.”
The total estimated cost of the project is $2,000,000. Enterprise Cape
Breton Corporation will provide a grant of $500,000 and an additional
non-repayable contribution of $1,000,000 through ACOA’s Strategic Community
Investment Fund (SCIF).
The SDDA was established in 1989 representing the business improvement
district of Sydney and, today, is made up of over 200 businesses in the
downtown area. It has a working executive of six members, all of whom
operate businesses in the downtown core.
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.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ralph Meechan
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of State
Tel: (613) 941-7241
John Coady
Office of Mark Eyking, MP
Sydney - Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617
Bruce Meloney
President, Sydney Downtown Development Association
Tel: (902) 562-3807
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