Lunenburg – Atlantic Canada’s small towns and rural areas are vibrant places bustling with economic, social and cultural activity. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing a total of $2,187,216 to help communities in the Lunenburg area thrive and build long-term prosperity.
Lunenburg Yacht Club (LYC) is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $45,000 through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to host the 2024 Mobility Cup, taking place from August 26 to 30th. Mobility Cup is an annual sailing regatta for differently abled sailors, this year attracting athletes from across Canada and the United States. Support helped the club complete accessibility upgrades, train volunteers, market the event and athletes and ensure safe and professional execution of the Mobility Cup.
Lunenburg Yacht Club has operated a SailAble program for 10 years, offering adults with physical and cognitive challenges the opportunity to participate in sailing. LYC’s SailAble program operates through the efforts of volunteers.
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $165,735 through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to finalize the design requirements and costs to revitalize the historic Lunenburg Opera House to be more accessible, inclusive, green, and multi-functional. The work will provide the detailed specifications, documents and cost estimates necessary to go to tender, begin a capital campaign and be ready to start building renovations, restoration and upgrades.
The Town of Mahone Bay is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $248,646 through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to upgrade and establish new infrastructure along the Town’s waterfront and main street area. As a popular tourist destination, these upgrades will improve the visitor experience, increase accessibility, and expand the visitor season by offering new tourism opportunities. Work will include improvements to the bandstand, public washrooms, and a new pedestrian walkway, connecting Edgewater Street to Main Street.
South Shore Opportunities Incorporated received a non-repayable contribution of $1,227,835 through the Community Futures Program to deliver the Community Futures Program in Lunenburg and Queens Counties for five years from 2020 to 2025. Through this funding, the Community Business Development Corporation is providing business counselling and training, facilitation of networking opportunities and access to financing that many SMEs and social enterprises cannot secure through traditional sources.
South Shore Opportunities Incorporated is one of 41 Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) delivering the national Community Futures (CF) Program in rural Atlantic Canada.
Terra Beata Farms, a grower, buyer and processor of cranberries and other fruits, received a repayable contribution of $500,000 through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program to purchase and install automated processing equipment which will allow the company to double its capacity to quickly and efficiently process cranberries, rhubarb, and haskaps. The automated independent quick-freezing equipment will allow Terra Beata to respond to its clients’ specific needs throughout the year by allowing it to provide fresh frozen fruit in the exact quantities requested. The equipment, which will also reduce processing costs, will be located in Terra Beata’s Sackville, N.B. facility.