Infrastructure Improvements Set to Begin At Mulgrave Marine Terminal

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Infrastructure Improvements Set to Begin at Mulgrave Marine Terminal

Major infrastructure upgrades at the Strait of Canso Superport will move ahead next week thanks to financial assistance from the provincial government. The Strait of Canso Superport Corporation will begin work on the foundation for a new 35,000 sq. ft. building planned for the Mulgrave Marine Terminal.

Today, June 7, the provincial government announced the final piece in its package of financial assistance for the terminal upgrades. Superport is undertaking the improvements to gain a competitive advantage in bidding for projects in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Education Minister Angus MacIsaac, speaking in Mulgrave on behalf of Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke, told Superport officials and others that the province is offering the capital project a $1.05 million loan, repayable over 10 years.

This funding will supplement other provincial and federal investments in the Strait of Canso Superport announced in February, such as the $1.25 million contributed by the Cape Breton Growth Fund, in which the province is a partner.

"The provincial investment we're announcing today will help the area diversify into the offshore sector and generate employment," Mr. MacIsaac said.

"Here in the Strait of Canso, we intend to build a leading supply base to the offshore that makes the most of our geographic and other advantages," said Mr. MacIsaac. "This is exactly the kind of investment opportunity we said in our economic growth strategy we would pursue. A major objective of that strategy is to gain onshore benefits from offshore development."

"The Strait of Canso Superport Corporation is extremely pleased with the provincial contribution to our project," said Superport CEO Tim Gilfoy. "It fulfills an important component of the overall project financing. It also gives a clear indication of the government's commitment to develop the infrastructure needed to distribute benefits from offshore oil and gas to areas like the Strait of Canso."

The total cost of the Mulgrave project is $5 million. Proposed improvements to the existing terminal include upgrades such as the new building, water and lighting, a new access road, mud and fuel storage pads, berms and service trenches, resurfacing of wharf lay-down areas, and removal of obsolete buildings.

The Superport Corporation expects that in addition to existing businesses benefiting from the new supply base, new offshore- service businesses will be attracted to Mulgrave as a place to set up shop.

Incorporated in 1997, the Strait of Canso Superport Corporation Limited is a not-for-profit entity responsible for the operation, development and upgrading of the marine facilities of the Mulgrave Marine Terminal and the Port Hawkesbury Wharf. It is also responsible for marketing and promotion of the port facilities to increase cargo and vessel traffic in the Strait of Canso.