Reaching New Highland Heights

Two provincially funded projects will help attract more tourism dollars to the Cape Breton Highlands. In Ingonish today, June 6, Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke unveiled two projects that will provide summer lift operations at Ski Cape Smokey and further enhance the North East Highlands as a year-round tourism and recreation destination.

A summer lift operation will be possible with $40,000 in assistance from Nova Scotia Economic Development. The funds will allow the resort to maintain and operate the lift over the summer months -- providing an important draw for the area's estimated 500,000 annual visitors.

The Northeast Highlands Chamber of Commerce will receive $90,000 over three years to help implement its marketing plan, developed in April of 2001. The plan is designed to solidify the Northeast Highlands as a year-round tourism destination through a range of initiatives, including visitor information centre development, industry liaison, and Web site enhancements. A major marketing campaign will be launched as additional funding is secured by the community.

"These projects will help the Northeast Highlands capitalize on their natural tourism attributes," said Mr. Clarke. "If implemented, the marketing plan developed for the chamber could result in the creation of 1,442 jobs over a 10-year period and $22.2 million in household income. We're happy to help make the project happen."

"Ongoing maintenance is important for Ski Cape Smokey, the funds we're providing will not only maintain operations, but will provide an important tourism draw," he said.