CREDA File

Welcome to the CREDA File, a monthly column on economic development issues and activities in Cumberland County from the files of the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association - published monthly in the Citizen newspaper.

May, 2007

 

The Province of Nova Scotia has fulfilled its financial commitment to develop the Joggins Fossil Cliffs as a world-class tourism and heritage site. Attorney General and Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott, on behalf of the province, presented a significant cheque to CREDA Executive Director Rhonda Kelly and Senior Project Manager Jenna Boon during a brief ceremony at the construction site in Joggins on April 10. This funding represents the remainder of the total provincial financial contribution of $2.9-million for the capital build and start-up costs of an interpretive and research centre to showcase what is considered the world’s richest and most significant Coal Age fossil site.

More than $9-million has been committed to plan and build the new Joggins Fossil Cliffs Centre and improve beach access and safety at the cliffs. Key funding partners include the federal government, through ACOA, which has committed more than $4.8-million, and the provincial government, nearly $3-million through the department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. The Municipality of the County of Cumberland has also committed more than $900,000. Construction of the 13,000 square foot fossil centre is on schedule for an early October opening. The centre will house a gift shop, a laboratory and exhibition space devoted to the significance of the cliffs.

Meanwhile, the Joggins Fossil Institute has received confirmation that the UNESCO World Heritage Centre has examined the Nomination Dossier for Joggins and has determined that it is complete. The Dossier, which is the application for inscription on the list of World Natural Heritage Sites, will now be evaluated by the appropriate advisory bodies of UNESCO. It is anticipated that Joggins will be designated a World Heritage Site by the fall of 2008.

Efforts to construct the Pugwash Peace Exchange, a proposed $6-million dollar interpretive, educational, and research centre in Pugwash are moving forward as planned.
The project has generated controversy with some residents expressing opposition to the proposed location at the intersection of King and Water streets, citing concerns over traffic congestion, parking and the challenges the project could pose to the peace and tranquility that the residents currently enjoy. To help alleviate those concerns the Pugwash Peace Exchange has agreed to a third party evaluation as part of the development process under the auspices of CREDA.

Peace Exchange Board Chair Stephen Leahey said expert advice will be sought on key issues such as the proposed building design and location, as well as concerns over traffic congestion, parking, and water supply problems. “If the architects, engineers and traffic experts find that the proposed site doesn’t work for whatever reasons, then by all means we will look at other locations within the village,’ he said.

Kathy Langille, District 4 Councilor for the Municipality of the County of Cumberland said she is very happy with confirmation that the concerns of residents will be directly addressed as part of the project planning process and that the Pugwash Peace Exchange Board is prepared to be more flexible in regards to the project’s location. “I support the Peace Exchange,” she said. “I believe it is an important economic development project for the Village of Pugwash and the North Shore of Cumberland County.”

Added CREDA Executive Director Rhonda Kelly, “we are pleased this very worthwhile project has the potential to move forward and that any concerns regarding location, traffic and parking will be addressed as the PPE moves from the concept to the design stage.”

Currently there are approximately 3900 civic addresses in Cumberland County that do not have access to high speed broadband Internet service. CREDA is working in partnership with the government of Nova Scotia and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland to ensure that every resident and business has high-speed Internet.

Business owners, residents, seasonal residents and community organizations in areas not yet served by broadband are encouraged to express their interest by submitting their name and address to the web based form on the “Provincial Broadband Website.” The information provided will be used by the government of Nova Scotia to supplement the data collection on un-served areas. A link to the web based form can be found on the CREDA home page @www.creda.net.

The province has set a goal of 100 percent connectivity for every Nova Scotian by the year 2009.

If you have any questions or want further information regarding CREDA call 667-3638. CREDA is Quality System registered to ISO 9001:2000.