Minister Promotes Partnerships and Key Sectors
Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald will be in Colchester County this weekend promoting the importance of partnerships and investments in tourism, culture and heritage for the province's economic and social growth. As minister responsible for the Sport and Recreation Commission, he is also highlighting the importance of physical activity and recreation.
On Saturday, Sept. 8, Mr. MacDonald will visit the Stewiacke Visitor Information Centre, Exit 11 off Highway 102, at 1 p.m; the East Court Road Playground in Bible Hill, at 2 p.m; and the Colchester Historical Society, 29 Young St., Truro at 3 p.m.
"This is a great opportunity to show the Department of Tourism and Culture first hand how its support helps our museum preserve the unique heritage of Colchester County," said Penny Lighthall, administrator of the Colchester Historical Society Museum.
The museum receives about $45,000 in annual operating support from the department. Within the county, the department invests in the Little White Schoolhouse and the Sunrise Trail Museum. It also supports Balmoral Grist Mill and Sutherland Steam Mill, two Nova Scotia Museum sites.
Tourism and Culture also provides assistance to local visitor information centres through the Central Nova Tourism Association (CNTA). The association works with industry stakeholders on tourism development, visitor information and marketing initiatives in the area. The community also benefits from numerous tourism marketing and development initiatives including funding support for festivals and events and special projects designed to build on Nova Scotia's 12-month season.
"CNTA recognizes the importance and value of partnering with Tourism and Culture. Partnership and investment opportunities allow our industry stakeholders to leverage dollars and step up to the provincial strategy to take action to address two key elements, increase revenue and extend our tourism season," said Joyce MacLean, the association's executive director. "By partnering we are better able to position ourselves as a tourism destination, create new tourism initiatives and strengthen our businesses."
In addition, the department provides support for cultural activities and organizations, including arts councils and cultural workshops.
As minister responsible for the Sport and Recreation Commission, Mr. MacDonald also notes a $7,500 investment for the East Court Road playground project.
"The village needed a playground, the school needed a playground. This is a great example of shared-use of school premises, and co- operation between the Village of Bible Hill and the school board," said Wayne McCormick, chairman of the Village of Bible Hill.
As well, the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex in Brookfield recently received $14,000 under the Life Cycle Planning program to develop recreation programs and services for the community. Life cycle planning includes developing accountable strategies to provide the resources needed for maintaining and improving projects.
Other organizations receiving recent support from the Sport and Recreation Commission include the North River Central Community Centre, the North Shore Recreation Centre and the Valley Elementary School.
"All of these projects speak to the partnerships that are alive and well in our communities. They also speak to opportunities that will give us and all Nova Scotians a chance to prosper in our own hometowns. And building prosperity here in Nova Scotia is a large part of this government's vision," said Mr. MacDonald.
Nova Scotia's billion-dollar-plus tourism industry translates into jobs for more than 35,000 Nova Scotians. Tourism is also a significant export industry, with more than half of the money generated coming from outside the province.
Nova Scotia's culture sector is also growing in leaps and bounds. The business of culture has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in this province with an estimated value of $808 million. Moreover, it's estimated that culture creates more than 29,000 direct and indirect jobs.