Province Supports Good Jobs, Boosts Tourism in Yarmouth

The province is protecting good jobs for families and boosting tourism in southwestern Nova Scotia by preserving a landmark Yarmouth hotel and convention centre, and supporting the World Junior A Hockey Challenge which will generate more than $4 million in economic activity for the region.

The province is providing a forgivable $350,000 loan to the Rodd Grand Hotel and Convention Centre. The hotel, an economic anchor for the region, has operated in Yarmouth for decades, helping attract major cultural and sporting events, conventions, and visitors from around the world to the region.

"Families and businesses of southwest Nova Scotia have weathered very difficult economic times, but things are beginning to turn around and we need to be ready," said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris. "This loan will protect about 75 jobs at the Rodd Grand and help continue to attract convention-goers, athletes, volunteers, event spectators, and tourists that spend money and create jobs in other businesses throughout our region."

The Rodd Grand has an annual payroll of $1.3 million, providing jobs for both Yarmouth families and students. The hotel and convention business puts $2.5 million annually into the local economy.

"This is very positive news for all of us," said Wally Murphy, who has worked at the Rodd Grand for 33 years. "It brings certainty and stability not only to us as employees, but the community too."

Mark Rodd, CEO of Rodd Hotel and Resorts, said the investment is good for the region.

"This investment will allow us to continue to play a key role in the local economy and the tourism prospects of the region," said Mr. Rodd.

The province is also providing $150,000 to support the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, which Yarmouth is hosting for the second year in a row. It is the first time in the tournament's seven-year history that a community has hosted back-to-back tournaments.

Myra Ritchie, owner of Mern's Place restaurant, said the extra business that resulted from last year's World Junior A Hockey Challenge helped keep her business in the black.

"I served 845 meals to three teams over that week and it helped us get through a tough time," said Ms. Ritchie. "It was a big boost to us and a lot of other businesses and I'm really looking forward to it again. We definitely need the convention space downtown because that's what helps bring in visitors."

Mitch Bonnar, chair of the 2013 World Junior A Challenge host committee said without the Rodd Grand Hotel it was highly unlikely Yarmouth could have hosted the tournament.

"The return of this tournament to Yarmouth is huge for the region. This is an endorsement of the can-do attitude of this community, and it once again gives the region the opportunity to showcase itself as a world class destination," said Mr. Bonnar. "The support by the province has been instrumental in allowing the community to once again host this great tournament."

Rodd Hotel and Resorts will continue to invest in advertising and marketing which will benefit the entire region. The Rodd Grand has 138 rooms, as well as, convention facilities not available elsewhere in the region.

"To continue to attract visitors and major events to southwestern Nova Scotia, it is important that we preserve the convention space we have in Yarmouth," said Darlene Grant Fiander, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. "These investments in tourism's infrastructure are crucial to attracting and building new business in the region."

The province also remains committed to investing as much as $21 million in a cruise ferry if an operator can be found and the federal government provides support.

This funding is one of several strategic investments in jobs for southwestern Nova Scotia, which include:

• $25 million to grow Cooke Aquaculture, creating more than 400 jobs

• $8.8 million to improve infrastructure for Shelburne Ship Repair

• $2.4 million to help Tri-Star industries expand and to protect 60 jobs

• a $1 million loan for White Point Beach Resort

• the creation of the BioEnergy Centre of Excellence on the former Bowater mills site to develop new technologies to extract more value from Nova Scotia's forests

• $500,000 to expand Mariner's Centre

• $150,000 to support Yarmouth 250 projects

• $75,000 last month to support the 2014 Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Liverpool

"We're certainly excited to welcome the world back to Yarmouth, and we're thankful to the province for partnering with us to make this event happen," said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. "The announcement of support for the Rodd Grand is equally exciting.

"It's the result of positive negotiations between the province and a good corporate citizen and we're thankful to see such support for this piece of tourism infrastructure."