Funding Criteria Now Available
The Province is seeking applications from communities interested in developing walking, hiking and multi-use trails as part of the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project.
The trail development project was announced last July when the provincial and federal governments set aside $2 million to invest between now and 2000-2001, under the Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic Diversification. Premier Russell MacLellan recently announced that $500,000 of this funding will support the Nova Scotia portion of the Trans Canada Trail, which is now a Nova Scotia Millennium project. The funds are expected to be used as seed money for local community groups.
"This trail project will help Nova Scotia to build on its reputation as a premier trails destination," says Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "It will also support community economic development initiatives in areas across the province."
"Nova Scotia has always possessed the right ingredients to build a thriving nature tourism industry and the Trails Development Project only enhances the package," said Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia. He was speaking on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "This initiative will especially benefit tourism in Nova Scotia's rural communities."
The majority of funding, about $1.5 million, will be dedicated to developing and enhancing coastal hiking trails or projects that complement Nova Scotia's competitive strength as a seacoast destination.
"The industry has long identified trail development as a major opportunity, especially in the areas of nature and marine tourism," said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council. "This program is a significant boost toward enhancing provincial trail experiences that can be marketed at home and abroad."
A comprehensive package has been developed for groups that may be considering applying for assistance. The package contains information on the types of projects that will be considered, as well as criteria against which projects will be measured.
Research undertaken by Tourism Nova Scotia shows that coastal hiking and walking trails are the most popular with visitors. Therefore, priority will be given to hiking and walking trail development initiatives that are linked to the coast or key provincial tourism destinations. Eligible costs under the program include planning and design, trail development and construction, and seed money for marketing activities, such as brochure design and production.
The balance of funds will be directed to Trans Canada Trail initiatives. The funding is designed to assist trail groups in the construction of multi-use recreational trails along the Trans Canada Trail route. The funding will be directed to capital assistance excluding the purchase of land. Criteria and eligibility have been adopted from the Nova Scotia Trails Federation Trans Canada Trail Capital Grant Program.
The deadline for the first round of applications from all community groups and associations is Feb. 12, 1999. The second round of applications will be accepted until Nov. 12, 1999. A steering committee, with representatives from various government departments, and the trails community will review each proposal. It's anticipated that approvals will be announced by mid-April, 1999 for the first round of applications and February 2000 for the second round of applications.
Copies of the information package can be obtained by contacting Jennifer MacIntyre, Tourism Development Assistant with Tourism Nova Scotia, via phone at 902-424-4243, by fax at 902-424-0723, by e-mail at [email protected] or by visiting the Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism web site at: www.gov.ns.ca/ecor/whatsnew.htm for details. Information packages are also being sent to trail groups, regional tourism associations, regional development authorities and business service centres throughout the province.