Membertou First Nation Opens Business Centre

Membertou First Nation today, June 23, officially opened the Membertou Business Centre, which combines commercial leasing with a business incubator facility, creating 100 jobs for the community.

The centre is part of Membertou's economic development strategy, which is receiving $3.25 million in federal funding and $1.2 million in provincial funding under the Community Development Trust Fund.

"Membertou is an important economic engine in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. This funding will help the community continue to grow to meet its economic goals, while creating good jobs and helping grow Nova Scotia's economy," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "I want to congratulate Membertou First Nation on their significant accomplishments in the last decade and wish them continued success as they move toward long-term sustainability."

The centre will consist of 10 Aboriginal and 12 non-Aboriginal businesses, plus six incubator units for Aboriginal startups. Eighty per cent of commercial leases have been signed.

"Today we see the strong relationship Membertou has built with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and federal and provincial governments to sustain its growing population while working toward the common goal of economic development," said Membertou Chief Terry Paul.

The Community Development Trust Fund will also support the extension of Churchill Drive from the Business Centre to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital which will feature energy efficient LED roadway lighting.

The fund was established by the federal government to help communities and industry affected by economic challenges. These projects meet the fund's objective to support economic diversification of rural communities and implementation of community-led economic transition plans.