St. Peter's, NS - The St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization (SPEDO) has partnered with the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency (S-HRDA) and the Village of St. Peter’s to revitalize the village’s community core with the implementation of Facade & Streetscape Programs. Under the Façade Program several business owners are taking advantage of the incentive assistance for their improvements. The Streetscape Program has enhanced the appeal and the use of the main street. This project is transforming the Village's main street into a stronger commercial hub through high design standards for building and signage.

Parker Stone, Chair of SPEDO, reports, "We are very pleased with how receptive the business community has been with the program. Presently there are nine St. Peter’s businesses that have completed or are in the process of completing façade upgrades. There is an expectation of another seven businesses taking advantage of the façade program this fall.” The Strait-Highlands RDA administers the program which offers a 50% cost sharing incentive to businesses and property owners to renovate and improve their store fronts. Karen Malcolm, Community Development Facilitator for the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency explains, “The program hinges on each business obtaining professional design consultation to develop a façade plan that meets façade program design guidelines and incorporates the needs of the business.“

In addition to business façade improvements there have been several Streetscape initiatives undertaken, starting with a comprehensive signage plan for the Village. As you travel through St. Peter’s you will now see new gateway signs (104 Hwy and St. Peter’s Canal), directional street and trail signs, parking signage, interpretive panels and a community information kiosk developed at the Post Office site that incorporates a business directory, community calendar and notice board. Complementing the signage is new street furniture and a new walkway that links the Nicolas Denys Museum to the St. Peter’s Canal. Robert Wombolt, a SPEDO member and a Village of St. Peter’s representative notes, “The Village of St. Peter’s has taken on the ownership and responsibility of the new community infrastructure and is pleased with community upgrades and with partnerships developed to see the projects to fruition.”

Steve MacNeil, District Councilor for Richmond Municipality remarks “It’s great to see the benefits of the community and local business community working together. The community is already talking about another project phase to extend sidewalks and to facilitate this effort, the Municipality of the County of Richmond has provided funding for the development of a sidewalk concept plan.”

Although it’s early into this Façade & Streetscape Program, the business community has already reported increased activity and sales. Blaine Gillis, Chief Executive Officer for S-HRDA, reflects, “The purpose of the program is to stimulate growth and long-term economic spin-off to the region. This is our first façade program in our region and we are optimistic, after seeing the enthusiasm of our businesses and sense of community pride with the St. Peter’s initiative; we will be partnering with other communities in the region for Façade and Streetscape Programs."

The St. Peter’s Façade & Streetscape Program (2009) has been a collaborative effort with partnerships developed between the Village of St. Peter’s, St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization (SPEDO), Canada Post, Parks Canada, Nova Scotia Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal, the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency and the local business community. These projects have been funded by businesses of St. Peter’s, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Nova Scotia Economic Development and the Municipality of the County of Richmond to the tune of $1.4 million.

Strait-Highlands RDA is accountable to three Municipal Councils (County of Inverness, Town of Port Hawkesbury, and County of Richmond), Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development, Nova Scotia Community Services and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. Find out about our latest projects and activities at www.strait-highlands.ns.ca or subscribe to our monthly newsletter, email info@strait-highlands.ns.ca.

Interview Contacts:

Karen Malcolm, Strait-Highlands RDA
(Ph) 902 625-3929 ext 3
(Email) karen.malcolm@strait-highlands.ns.ca

Parker Stone, St. Peter’s Economic Development Organization
(Ph) 902 535-2204
(Email) parker.stone@hotmail.com