Between 102 and 202 jobs will be created through the federal and provincial government assistance, which totals $1.26 million and $404,000, respectively, under the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreements on Economic Diversification and Industrial Development Opportunities.
"These projects will act as catalysts for the creation of a significant number of business, manufacturing and tourism related jobs throughout the southwest area of Nova Scotia," says Minister Dingwall. "The federal government is pleased to be involved in these important projects, which help create employment and encourage entrepreneurs to invest in Atlantic Canada."
Of note is the $1.35 million project for the purchase, renovation and development of the former Dominion Textiles property in Yarmouth through the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. The former Domtex property will be transformed into a fully-serviced three-story commercial mall housing a variety of business, manufacturing, tourism and community enterprises.
A number of potential tenants have expressed strong interest in locating in the redeveloped facility on Yarmouth's waterfront. Novatech Braids Ltd., a promising rope manufacturing operation presently employing 30 people, has already indicated their desire to relocate and purchase 30,000 square feet in the facility with a view to expanding their operations with the corresponding creation of additional jobs. In total, the project will create 100 new jobs in the first year and potentially more than 200 jobs when the facility is fully occupied.
Minister Bragg added, "Today's announcements are a perfect example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work cooperatively with business to encourage growth and development of existing local firms, encourage entrepreneurship and enhance tourism opportunities."
Also of interest is the establishment of the Western Valley Development Authority as a result of $304,895 in assistance from the federal and provincial governments. The Authority will be responsible for providing economic development services to all residents and communities within Annapolis and Digby counties. Its goals will be to encourage business investment from established and new enterprises leading to increased job creation opportunities as well as community economic development throughout the area.
The Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreements on Industrial Development Opportunities and Economic Diversification are administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on behalf of the Government of Canada and by the Economic Renewal Agency on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia.
For more information contact:
David Kaulback
ACOA Comunications
(902) 426-4238
Linda Laffin
N.S.E.R.A
(902) 424-6810
Highlighted Projects:
The federal and provincial governments today took the opportunity to highlight five COOPERATION projects which have received assistance over the past year. These projects received total federal assistance of over $1.25 million and provincial assistance of approximately $404,000 and had a total investment of over $1.7 million. The projects created a total of between 102 to 202 jobs. The projects are as follows:
Domtex Commercial Centre (Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission), Yarmouth
The Industrial Commission will receive a $1.08 million federal contribution and a $270,000 provincial contribution toward a $1.35 million project to purchase the Domtex property (waterfront portion) to provide facilities for an expanded Novotec Braids Ltd. operation and a fully-serviced commercial mall. The project will create 100 new jobs in year one and potentially more than 200, in total, when the facility is fully occupied. The assistance will be provided under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
Contact: Mr. Frank Anderson, Executive Director (902) 742-3021
Western Valley Development Authority, Digby/Bridgetown
The $304,895 project involves the establishment of the Authority to encourage business investment from established and new enterprises, job creation, and community economic development throughout the Western Valley region. The Authority was formed through the agreement of seven municipal units within Annapolis and Digby counties to join forces. The WVDA's main objectives include assisting Western Valley region businesses in developing new markets; to create and maintain an inventory of existing built space and land suitable for new business occupancy; to assist entrepreneurs to start new businesses and to promote the relocation of existing businesses currently located outside the region. The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will contribute $100,000 each to the project under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
Contact: Mr. Allan Sloan, Executive Director (902) 665-4083
Site Development, South West Nova
This $68,000 project involves the conducting of diver surveys, and analyzing of results, at all existing and new marine finfish culture sites. The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will contribute $47,600 and $20,400, respectively, under the Economic Diversification Agreement. The project will create two new part-time jobs.
Contact: Mr. Dave Lemmon (902) 426-3158
Annapolis Basin Monitoring, Annapolis Basin
This $39,000 project involves an intensive environmental monitoring program to ensure that aquaculture impact on Annapolis Basin is properly assessed and that the four existing sites are properly managed. The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will provide a $27,300 contribution and a $11,700 contribution, respectively, under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
Contact: Mr. Dave Lemmon (902) 426-3158
Tri-Star Industries, Yarmouth
The company, which specializes in the custom design and manufacture of ambulances, will undertake a $5,000 project, assisted by $2,500 contributions from both the federal and provincial governments, under the Industrial Development Opportunities Agreement. The project involves the production of a video, filmed by Danish Television Radio, detailing Nova Scotia in general and marketing efforts of Tri-Star products.
Contact: Mr. Keith Condon, President (902) 742-9254