October 12, 2016
Government of Canada supports business and tourism growth in rural Nova Scotia
October 12, 2016 – Noel, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), was at Burntcoat Head Park today to see first-hand infrastructure upgrades at the popular tourist attraction aimed at further positioning the site as one of the Bay of Fundy's outstanding visitor experiences.
Capital upgrades included concrete stairs to the ocean floor, a septic/well system, public washroom facilities, upgrades to the interpretive centre, and trail development. In addition, six interpretive panels have been custom designed and installed throughout the Park.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, invested $232,415 and the Province of Nova Scotia, through Tourism Nova Scotia, provided financial support of $65,000 toward the project managed by the Municipality of East Hants.
Over 500 businesses from Amherst to Digby rely on the tourism draw of the Bay of Fundy. Improvements to the accessibility and services available at Burntcoat Head Park are key to attracting more visitors to the region and enabling rural businesses to better capitalize on their proximity to this tourism asset.
The Park programming and summer season operations are conducted by the Burntcoat Head Park Association, a local non-profit group. In summer 2016, four staff were hired by the Association to operate the Park, including offering guided tours of the ocean floor. Events such as The Flying Apron Cookery’s “Dining on the Ocean Floor” and Tourism Nova Scotia marketing have given the park increased visibility on an international scale over the past two years.