Trails to Hike Economy in Inverness County
Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have new places to enjoy the great outdoors as community groups from Cheticamp to Canso are receiving provincial and federal funds to develop hiking trails.
Like many trails projects across the province, trails in Inverness County have received financial assistance through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which is funded by the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed federally by Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and provincially by Nova Scotia Economic Development.
"Communities around this province know that Nova Scotia's natural beauty is one of our greatest strengths and they're taking full advantage of it by developing these hiking trails," said Senator Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of George Baker, Secretary of State for ACOA. "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."
Gordon Balser, Nova Scotia's Minister of Economic Development, emphasized the importance of using the province's natural resources for new, sustainable economic growth.
"Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of our tourism industry," said Mr. Balser. "Our investment in trails across the province will ensure that Nova Scotia is an even more attractive destination for those outdoor enthusiasts who will bring their tourism dollars to our communities."
Overlooking the Cabot Trail and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park treats hikers to breath-taking vistas and the chance to observe wildlife in their natural environment. In addition to its own contribution, Les Amis du Plein Air of Cheticamp has received $160,000 through the Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project to reconstruct this existing, deteriorated trail for safer hiking and protection of the environment. The park has also contributed $23,000.
An abandoned stretch of railroad between the Canso Causeway and Long Point is being transformed as a section of the Trans Canada Trail. The Ceilidh Coastal Trail Association has received $50,000 through the trails project to repair and replace culverts and to bring the trail up to multiuse standards. The trail association has also received $1,706 from Human Resources Development Canada, $50,000 from Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and support from the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps.
Another new trail is being planned by the West Mabou Beach Committee. The community group has received $5,000 through the trails project to hire a designer who will plan a trail taking full advantage of the natural beauty and heritage of the West Mabou Beach area.
"The tourism industry is active in every corner of this province," said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council. "Developing trails that are popular attractions for visitors is another way our communities are contributing to the growth of this billion dollar industry."
The $3-million Nova Scotia Trails Destination Project, which was announced last summer, will help make Nova Scotia one of the world's premier trails destinations and attract 36,000 new visitors to the province each year. The destination project received a total of $2 million in funding under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
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