News release

Municipal Innovation Projects Announced

Municipal Affairs (Feb. - Aug. 2021)

NOTE: A list of approved projects follows this release.

The Nova Scotia government is announcing the first investments under a new program that supports municipalities working together on economic development and planning projects.

Four projects involving 17 municipalities will receive a total of $686,000 in provincial investment under the Municipal Innovation Program.

“Nova Scotians want to live in communities that are vibrant and sustainable, and more collaboration between local governments can help make the places we call home stronger,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Brendan Maguire. “It is clear from conversations with local leaders that our communities can be more successful if we share our ideas and efforts with our neighbours.”

The approved projects support the creation or improvement of regional services, infrastructure, land-use planning and other innovative approaches to shared priorities.

Quotes:

“Working with our neighbouring municipalities in eastern Nova Scotia, we can improve our land-use policies and regulations to better reach our goals: sustainable community development and growth. The provincial government’s investment supports the collaborative and forward-thinking approach we want to bring to economic development.”

– Mayor Amanda McDougall, Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM)

Quick Facts:

  • this program was created in consultation with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities and the Association of Municipal Administrators Nova Scotia
  • funding is provided by the province for up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs
  • proposals were evaluated based, in part, on the number of participants and the immediacy of need
  • applications for the 2021-22 Municipal Innovation Program will open soon

Additional Resources:

Application portal: https://grants.novascotia.ca/irj/portal

Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing Twitter: https://twitter.com/dma_ns

2020-21 Provincial Investments in Municipal Innovation Projects:

  • Eastern Nova Scotia Regional Land Use Planning, $375,000: CBRM, towns of Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury, municipalities of Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria counties
  • Strait Area Inter-Municipal IT Service, $175,250: counties of Antigonish, Victoria and Inverness, towns of Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury, the District of St. Mary's
  • Tri-County Regional Planning Initiative, $120,000: municipalities of Argyle, Barrington, Digby and Shelburne, towns of Digby and Shelburne
  • Regional Solid Waste Collaboration Initiatives $15,750: Municipality of the County of Cumberland, Town of Amherst, Town of Oxford

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