CARBONEAR, N.L.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
CANADA
Carbonear citizens learned on Friday, Sept. 21, that over half a million dollars is coming to the town to help improve the downtown area.
Residents and business owners joined members of the town council, as well as MP Ken McDonald and MHA Steve Crocker at the community centre for an announcement of funding to kick-start a downtown revitalization project.
That project will completely change the look and feel of the downtown area over the next few years.
The price tag sits at over $700,000 with money coming from the federal and provincial governments.
McDonald explained the federal government has developed an Atlantic Growth Strategy that aims to stimulate economic growth in Atlantic Canada’s by funding projects that would benefit small and medium sized businesses within the region.
Part of this strategy includes a pot of money — $24.5 million — aimed at making Atlantic Canada a number one tourist destination.
Under this strategy, ACOA is providing about $539,000 to the Town of Carbonear, to start the downtown redevelopment.
The province is chipping in with $207,000 explained minister Crocker.
“This town is as historic as any community in our province,” Crocker told the crowd, noting, “Since the 1600s, this town has been the leading commercial center for the Trinity-Conception region, and Baccalieu Trail as a whole … The increasing activity in the downtown area has led to the expansion and establishment of several businesses. To build on this renewed activity, the town is aiming to improve the visitor experience, and enhance the business development, by making the area more pedestrian friendly, and friendlier for small businesses.”
The downtown plan will involve upgrades to streetscaping, landscaping, sidewalks and signage, adding murals, fixed furniture and Wifii hotspots.
Mayor Frank Butt said the work will begin in the new year.
“In the spring of 2019, we’ll be starting the underground infrastructure work. Once that’s completed, the money from these announcements will go into the above-ground work, so that means sidewalks, street paving, lights, benches, and things like that – things that tourists are looking for these days,” he said. “These are things that are going to, hopefully, have a major benefit for tourism in Carbonear.”
“A revitalized downtown core will enhance the visitor experience, encourage new small business ventures, and help grow the local economy,” added McDonald. “This bold new approach is in line with this tourism vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-10 global tourism destination by 2025.”
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