Trails to Hike Economy near Arichat
Resident and visiting nature lovers will soon have a better place to enjoy the great outdoors as Development Isle Madame Ltd. is improving the Cap-Auguet Eco-Trail near Arichat.
The community organization is upgrading the 8.5-kilometre frontcountry trail with trailhead facilities, bridges, boardwalks, benches and look-offs, as well as directional signage and a parking lot. The looped trail will lead hikers through a variety of natural and cultural landscapes.
"The benefits of this trail are expected to be significant for our community," said Darrell Landry of Development Isle Madame. "The trail will increase and foster business activity and create recreational opportunites for the local community and tourists visiting our scenic island."
"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 the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "We're pleased to support these trails projects and we look forward to the economic spinoffs they'll generate."
In addition to community and corporate support for building the trail, Development Isle Madame Ltd. is receiving $100,000 over two years 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 ACOA and provincially by Nova Scotia Economic Development. Human Resources Development Canada has also provided $21,756.
"Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of our tourism industry," said Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development. "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."
"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 Trails Destination Project received a total of $2 million in funding under the Economic Diversification Agreement.
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