The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Member of Parliament for Cardigan was joined by the Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology, and Bruce MacLennan to announce the details for the $384,421 development of eco-tourism infrastructure for Central Kings.

Incorporated in 1975, the Municipality of Central Kings includes the localities of Albion Cross, Bridgetown, Dingwells Mills, Dundas, Mount Hope, Popular Point and Upton. Through community surveys, interviews and meetings, the residents of Central Kings generated ideas that will highlight the area as a prime tourist destination. The water trail development is a project that has been identified as an eco-tourism venture that is sure to please both the active traveler and Island residents.

“Like many areas of the Island, this region of Eastern PEI boasts natural features that are unique to our province. Establishing Eco-tourism infrastructure in these areas will produce economic benefits, build stronger rural communities and advance sustainable development,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, on behalf of the Government of Canada. “The challenge is not simply encouraging visitors to travel to our Island; the key is to entice them to stay longer. Creating experience-based trips will ensure longer visits to the Island.”

“This area of the province has long been appreciated by those in the know - now it will be appreciated by Islanders and visitors alike,” said Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie. “As we have seen in other areas, the benefits of eco-developments go beyond the projects themselves; they encourage business development in the area, which in turn encourages job creation. I am pleased to support this excellent initiative on the part of this community - they have done an excellent job in coming together to design this development.”

“We have been searching for creative options to draw more visitors to Central Kings; these ideas have been both creative and environmentally conscience. This project has become a reality thanks to the input from local residents and feedback and guidance from the Boughton River Watershed group. We are pleased that our project will generate an increase in visitor traffic and that this will produce economic spin offs throughout eastern PEI,” said Bruce MacLennan, Chair of the development committee. “This project will benefit the tourism industry and with respect to healthy lifestyles, it will improve the quality of life enjoyed by residents of Central Kings and the surrounding communities.”

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will provide a non-repayable contribution of $259,875 under the Strategic Communities Investment Fund (SCIF) to the project. The Canada/P.E.I. Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) provided an additional $59,046. The Province of Prince Edward Island is contributing $45,000 and the Municipality of Central Kings will add $20,500 to the project.