Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, Nova Scotia, attended the opening of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)-funded Montague Business Centre on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of ACOA. Mr. Keddy was also joined by Olive Crane, Member of the Legislative Assembly for District 2, to announce funding for a streetscape project aimed at enhancing Montague’s downtown core.

“Today is a great day for Montague,” said Mr. Keddy. “The new business centre and streetscape enhancements will help kick-start the revitalization of the downtown core and act as a catalyst for future growth.”

The Montague Business Centre is home to Active Communities Inc., a not-for-profit group that works to promote economic development and create jobs in eastern Prince Edward Island. Active Communities is the only member of the Community Business Development Corporation network to offer both lending and community development services under one roof. The group moved into the new premises this past July.

“Strong, vibrant communities, both urban and rural, are the core of Prince Edward Island’s strength,” said Ms. Crane. “The provincial government is pleased to be a partner in this project that will help revitalize downtown Montague.”

The streetscape improvements will include the construction of a new sidewalk with brick pavers, installation of decorative lighting and benches, landscaping and signage. The streetscape will connect businesses located on Sackville and Brook Streets to Main Street, as well as connect the Montague waterfront and Confederation Trail to Main Street. Work is slated to begin this September and be completed by spring 2007.

“Active Communities Inc. has worked with great success in Montague for close to a decade, and moving to a larger facility will allow them to continue the great work they do for eastern PEI,” said Montague Mayor Richard Collins. “The business centre and the new streetscape are key to our revitalization plans.”

Through its Innovative Communities Fund, ACOA has contributed $500,000 for renovations to the Montague Business Centre and will contribute $265,342 towards the streetscape improvements. The provincial Department of Development and Technology will provide $25,000 towards the streetscape project and the Town of Montague will contribute $41,836.