Proposals sought for prime Chéticamp real estate
The Municipality of Inverness County is pleased to announce that it will consider proposals for the former NSLC building in the village of Chéticamp.
The building is located at 15246 Cabot Trail Road in Chéticamp, Inverness County, NS.
The municipality wishes to attract businesses or nonprofit groups, that will develop the building for the greatest benefit to the community. The deadline for submissions is 2pm, 15 June 2023.
This is an exciting opportunity for an organization or business to be a part of the economic growth and revitalization of Chéticamp, a community steeped in Acadian culture and possessing a diverse and vibrant economy.
“Chéticamp is an important social and economic hub within Inverness County. The municipality is very pleased to be able to give businesses or nonprofit organizations this opportunity. The municipality is encouraging companies or organizations to come forward with their vision to offer Inverness County residents a strong value proposition in this prime location,” said council leader Warden Bonny MacIsaac.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria.
- Minimum standard: has the proposal provided all the requested information
- Benefit to community: how will the proposal provide a service to local residents
- Inclusion: what percent of the population will benefit from the proposal (youth, seniors, special interest groups, etc.)
- Quality of service: has the proponent successfully complete similar projects, or has the proponent provided similar proposed service to the community in the past
- Other considerations: this will include the validity of the plan, understanding of the property in question, and other considerations
- Cost/price: the amount being offered for the property as well as the direct affect to the municipality from future tax revenue
Details of the property, and all requirements to be fulfilled by the successful proponent are contained in the Request for Proposals which is available on the provincial procurement portal:
https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/MCI-RFP-2023-010
Transformative investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in the community of Inverness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inverness, Nova Scotia, March, 17, 2023—Today, representatives of the Government of Canada, the Government of Nova Scotia and the Municipality of the County of Inverness announced a combined investment of more than $24 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in the community of Inverness.
Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso; the Honourable Allan MacMaster, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Inverness; and Bonny MacIsaac, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness, made the announcement to a packed assembly at the Inverness Volunteer Fire Department.
The project announced is amongst the largest infrastructure projects in a community in Nova Scotia. It is the largest infrastructure project that the Municipality has ever taken on.
Mike Kelloway MP in Inverness NS, announcing more than $25 million of investment in the community of Inverness.
While the Municipality owns an estimated $186 million of water and wastewater assets, a recent report indicated that $103 million investment is required over the next 10 years to improve and maintain the current status of the infrastructure and associated level of services to residents.
The required costs are significantly higher than the national average, and the bulk of the infrastructure deficit – above 40% – is in the community of Inverness. The assessment identified the Inverness wastewater treatment plant as a priority for replacement due to its age, condition, and operational deficiencies. Additionally, the report demonstrated that the distribution systems are in exceptionally poor condition.
Community of Inverness
Estimated Asset Replacement Value $ 48.5 million
Estimated 10-year investment cost $ 42.6 million
80% of linear assets in Inverness very poor condition
87% of sanitary sewer in Inverness very poor condition
77% of watermains in Inverness very poor condition
The work is both necessary and a priority for the Municipality.
Staff of the municipality were among the packed audience at Inverness Volunteer Fire Department to hear the announcement.
As part of a coordinated infrastructure approach, the Municipality also identified the planned resurfacing of Central Avenue in Inverness by the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works as a tremendous opportunity to replace the undersized and failing linear water and sanitary sewer mains along the main transportation corridor in the community.
Inverness is a community on the rise, and the project unveiled today will ensure system capacity to manage existing and projected future flows, allowing for sustainable commercial and residential growth.
The Government of Canada is investing $9,764,400 in this project. The Government of Nova Scotia is contributing $8,137,000. The Municipality of the County of Inverness is contributing $6,509,600.
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Contact
Joe Carew
Communications and Community Engagement Lead
Municipality of the County of Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
joe.carew@invernesscounty.ca
+1 (902) 323 0089
Municipality Launches Clean Energy Financing Program
Municipality Launches Clean Energy Financing Program
INVERNESS COUNTY, UNAMA’KI –The Municipality of the County of Inverness, in partnership with the Clean Foundation of Nova Scotia, launches the Clean Energy Financing Program. The program offers support towards home energy improvements that will save residents money.
The Clean Energy Financing Program will enable eligible homeowners to access long-term financing to make their homes more energy efficient. Participants in the program will work with the Clean Foundation of Nova Scotia to schedule a Home Energy Assessment with a qualified advisor. The assessment will determine the most appropriate upgrades for the home. These upgrades could include improvements such as new insulation, weather stripping, new windows, heat pumps, and hot water tank recommendations. Once energy upgrades are completed, homeowners will receive a notice of repayment from the Municipality with their property tax bill, and will submit monthly re-payments at a 1.5 percent interest rate for up to 15 years. The Clean Foundation of Nova Scotia team will ensure homeowners have access to all available rebates and incentives for eligible energy efficient upgrades.
“Inverness County is one of two Municipalities in Cape Breton to offer the Clean Energy Financing Program.” said Keith MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “This program is will make it easier for residents to make home energy improvements by reducing the burden of the up-front costs and enabling residents to make repayments over a longer timeframe.”
Visit cleanenergyfinancing.ca/inverness/ to learn more and apply for the program. There is an annual maximum number of participants who can enter the program and as such interested homeowners are encouraged to apply to participate as soon as possible.
For questions, visit cleanenergyfinancing.ca/inverness/ or email special.projects@invernesscounty.ca.
Media Contact
Maura Beaton
Special Projects Facilitator
Municipality of the County of Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Maura.beaton@invernesscounty.ca
902.323.0660
Une municipalité lance un programme de financement de projets écoénergétiques
INVERNESS COUNTY, UNAMA’KI – COMTÉ D’INVERNESS, UNAMA’KI – La Municipalité du comité d’Inverness lance le programme Clean Energy Financing en collaboration avec la Clean Foundation of Nova Scotia. Ce programme offre un moyen de financer les améliorations énergétiques domiciliaires qui permettront aux résidents d’économiser de l’argent.
Le programme Clean Energy Financing donne aux propriétaires admissibles la possibilité d’accéder à des emprunts à long terme pour la réalisation de rénovations qui permettront d’améliorer la performance énergétique de leur maison. Les participants au programme travailleront avec la Clean Foundation pour planifier une évaluation énergétique résidentielle avec un conseiller qualifié. Cette évaluation déterminera les améliorations les plus appropriées pour la maison. Les travaux pourraient comprendre l’installation de nouveaux isolants, de coupe-froid, de nouvelles fenêtres, de thermopompes ainsi que des recommandations sur les réservoirs d’eau chaude. Une fois les travaux d’amélioration énergétique terminés, les propriétaires recevront un avis de remboursement de la part de la municipalité avec leur facture d’impôt foncier, et ils soumettront des remboursements mensuels à un taux d’intérêt de 1,5 % pendant une période maximale de 15 ans. L’équipe de la Clean Foundation veillera à ce que les propriétaires aient accès à tous les rabais et incitatifs disponibles pour les améliorations écoénergétiques admissibles.
« Le comté d’Inverness est l’une des deux municipalités du Cap-Breton à offrir ce programme de financement », a déclaré Keith MacDonald, directeur général de la Municipalité du comté d’Inverness. « Grâce à ce programme, il sera plus facile pour les
résidents d’apporter des améliorations énergétiques à leur domicile, car ils n’auront pas à assumer le fardeau des coûts initiaux et ils pourront rembourser le prêt sur une plus longue période ».
Visitez le site cleanenergyfinancing.ca/Inverness/ pour en savoir plus et présenter une demande. Le programme accepte un nombre maximal de participants par année; par conséquent, les propriétaires intéressés sont invités à présenter une demande le plus tôt possible.
Pour toute question, consultez le site cleanenergyfinancing.ca/Inverness/ ou communiquez avec nous par courriel à special.project@invernesscounty.ca.
Personne-ressource pour les médias :
Maura Beaton
Facilitatice de projets spéciaux
Municipalité du comté d’Inverness
375, rue Main, Port Hood (Nouvelle-Écosse) B0E 2W0
Maura.beaton@invernescounty.ca
902-323-0660
Municipal Offices Closed Monday September 19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2022
Municipal Offices Closed Monday September 19
INVERNESS COUNTY, UNAMA’KI – Notice to residents. Municipal Offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, September 19 to observe the provincial holiday in honour of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral service.
This follows the Government of Canada declaration of a National Day of Mourning on September 19, 2022, which was recognized by the Government of Nova Scotia.
Curbside collection will not be affected.
Media contact:
Maura Beaton
Special Projects Facilitator
Municipality of the County of Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Maura.beaton@invernesscounty.ca
902.323.0660
Municipality Launches Public Transportation Engagement
INVERNESS COUNTY, UNAMA’KI – The Municipality of the County of Inverness is inviting
residents to provide input into public transportation in Inverness County through an
interactive website, cbcl.mysocialpinpoint.com/ride. CBCL, the consultant for the project,
created the website to provide residents with the opportunity to map out their desired
transit routes and stops, and participate in a short survey. The survey is designed for
residents to inform the Municipality how they get around Inverness County – whether it
be by car, bus, taxi, or bike.
The Municipal Public Transportation Review is guided by the vision that sustainable public
transportation contributes to a healthy population, economy, and environment. Public
feedback will help inform recommendations for the future based on public input, travel
trends, and sustainable public transportation practices for rural communities.
“With the public’s help, the Municipality can gather information that will advance public
transportation improvements in partnership with transit operators,” said Keith
MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “Access to public
transportation for Inverness County residents and businesses is important, now and in
the future.”
Residents can also provide input by visiting Municipal staff in-person at the Cheticamp
farmers market on August 27 and the Mabou Farmers Market on August 28.
Surveys can be filled out until September 17 online at cbcl.mysocialpinpoint.com/ride.
Paper copies can be picked up at the Municipal Office in Port Hood at 86 High Street or
375 Main Street.
For more information, contact Special Projects at special.projects@invernesscounty.ca.
Media Contact:
Maura Beaton
Special Projects Facilitator
Municipality of the County of Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Maura.beaton@invernesscounty.ca
902-323-0660
Council Congratulates Inverness County ECMA Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2022
INVERNESS COUNTY, UNAMA’KI – The Municipality of the County of Inverness Council would like to formally congratulate the East Coast Music Awards nominees from Canada’s Musical Coast. Nominees from Inverness County and We’koqma’q First Nation include:
- 2022 Event of the Year – Blueberry Jam (Mabou Ridge)
- 2022 Visual Artist of the Year – Sara Rankin (Mabou)
- 2022 Blues Recording of the Year – Jon Hines (Judique)
- 2022 Group Recording of the Year – The Town Heroes (Inverness/Mabou)
- 2022 Indigenous Artist of the Year – Morgan Toney and Shift From Tha 902 (We’koqma’q First Nation)
- 2022 Inspirational Recording of the Year – Morgan Toney
- 2022 Rising Star Recording of the Year – Morgan Toney
- 2022 Rock Recording of the Year – The Town Heroes
- 2022 Song of the Year – The Town Heroes
- 2022 Songwriter of the Year – The Town Heroes
- 2022 Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year – Jimmy Rankin (Mabou) and The Town Heroes
As well, some members of the Choeur Virtuel de l’Acadie (nominee for the 2022 Artist Innovator of the Year) reside in Chéticamp.
“Municipal Council and staff are very proud of the talented artists nominated for a 2022 East Coast Music Award, as well as all artists who contribute to the vibrant and creative culture of Canada’s Musical Coast,” said Warden Laurie Cranton.
Voting for the East Coast Music Awards Fans’ Choice is currently open. Vote at https://www.ecma.com/ecma-2022/fans-choice/.
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16 Seniors Receive Free Intouch Alert Pendants
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. — The Municipality of the County of Inverness is pleased that announced that 16 seniors in the County have received Northwood Intouch Alert Pendants free for one year through a partnership with Northwood and the Rural Communities Foundation.
Seniors who live alone aged 65 years or more within an isolated community or location in Inverness County, and have an active landline were able to apply for the program.
One such participant shared her gratitude for the program with Municipal staff. “I am so much more secure and appreciative that assistance is but a push of the button away. This is very reassuring when one lives alone,” she said. “I am indebted to you and all those who made this possible.”
While applications are now closed, the Municipality is pleased with the success of this initiative and is currently looking into continuing the program in the coming years.
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Media contacts:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications & Community Engagement Specialist
Municipality of the County of Inverness
902-258-7513
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
February Tax Sale to be by Tender Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8th, 2020
February Tax Sale to be by Tender Process
PORT HOOD, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness’ first tax sale of the year will be conducted via a closed tender process. This decision was made by Council in concertation with Municipal staff to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 and to follow provincial public health gathering guidelines.
Tenders will be accepted until 2:00 pm Atlantic Standard Time on Friday, February 5th.
Instructions on the tender process and the list of properties up for sale are available at
https://invernesscounty.ca/services/finance-taxation/tax-sales/. For more information on available properties or questions regarding the process, please call 902-787-3510 or email bmacdonald@invernesscounty.ca.
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Media contact:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications & Community Engagement Specialist
Municipality of the County of Inverness
902-258-7513
Municipal Partners to Begin Inverness Growth Strategy Study and Engagement Actions
INVERNESS, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness in partnership with Develop Nova Scotia and UPLAND Planning + Design Studio are beginning the community of Inverness Growth Management Strategy Study, with a first round of stakeholder and public engagement over the coming weeks. This includes the launch of a new portal on the Municipal website that leads to more information as well as an interactive tool to help residents provide input. There will also be targeted engagement sessions with key stakeholders within the community of Inverness, conducted over the phone or online to ensure the health and safety of both participants and facilitators.
The Growth Management Strategy will only be useful if it reflects the desires and priorities of the community. The Municipality of the County of Inverness is looking to stakeholders and citizens in order to fill specific information gaps related to growth potential, find out how changes might affect members of the community, identify opportunities for collaboration and ensure that the final Strategy focuses on real community benefits.
“The purpose of the Growth Management Strategy is to encourage growth that will benefit everyone in the community over the next few decades,” says Keith MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “This means the Municipality and its partners must take into account the needs and desires of current residents including youth, newcomers and potential future residents, as well as businesses and non-profit organizations that do important work in the community of Inverness.”
Boasting two of the world’s top golf courses with a third slated to open in the near future, Inverness has become a key destination in the country and the world for golfers. As such, the community has subsequently seen economic growth and investment, as well as significant infrastructure pressures and challenges.
Due to these challenges, the Municipality is taking the necessary steps to plan and prepare for a more sustainable future with regards to the community of Inverness’ growth, infrastructure and the quality of services delivered to residents. Complementing the Inverness Growth Management Strategy, other goals include increasing Municipal capacity to treat and manage wastewater, enable compliance with Federal and Provincial standards and ensure continued access to potable water, allowing the Municipality to sustain and encourage residential and commercial growth while improving livability for community residents.
“This concept of livability is the core of these goals and the Inverness Growth Management Strategy,” says MacDonald. “The Municipality and its partners are hard at work so that the community of Inverness will be a great place to live and grow for years and years to come. This is an exciting project that will be replicated in communities throughout Inverness County.”
“Building places for people is at the heart of what we do. When we build places with community, we not only build authentic destinations that people love, we also build community,” says Jennifer Angel, CEO, Develop Nova Scotia. “We look forward to working with our terrific partners and the people of Inverness, to build on the strengths of the region, to come up with some smart solutions, and to shape the future growth and sustainability of Inverness for everyone.”
Work will continue throughout Spring, Summer and Fall 2020. The Inverness Growth Management Strategy web portal can be found at www.invernesscounty.ca/invernessgrowthstrategy.
UPLAND Planning + Design Studio is an award-winning collaborative team of landscape architects, planners and engagement specialists. Their understanding of rural Cape Breton communities, the impacts of a seasonal workforce on an area and the changing nature of coastal villages will be indispensable in the development of the Inverness Growth Strategy Plan. They have partnered with CBCL Limited, experts in environmental services and infrastructure, and Turner Drake, which boasts decades of experience in real estate solution planning and land-use management. The Municipality is confident that together, this team will design a plan for the future growth of the community of Inverness that will prioritize the values and interests of residents as well as the needs of visitors.
Develop Nova Scotia is a provincial crown corporation, working closely with communities and partners to build on the province’s natural assets. They aid in the development of strategic economic infrastructure to support inclusive economic growth and work with communities and partners to make Nova Scotia an incredible place to live, work, invest and visit. For more information, visit https://developns.ca/.
Inverness, Nova Scotia is a coastal community with kilometres of beautiful shoreline, two of the world’s top critically-acclaimed golf courses with a third to open soon, hard-working and kind residents, and a plethora of recreational, cultural and social engagement opportunities. It is one of many vibrant villages within the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
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Media contacts:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications & Community Engagement Specialist
Municipality of the County of Inverness
902-258-7513
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
Erica Brook
Engagement Manager
UPLAND Planning + Design Studio
erica@uplandstudio.ca
Kelly Rose
Senior Communications Manager
Develop Nova Scotia
media@developns.ca
902-222-6297
Municipality Releases Cellphone Service Expansion RFP
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness has released a request for proposals in order to address cellphone coverage gaps throughout the County of Inverness.
There are numerous communities in Inverness County that have limited or non-existent cell phone coverage. Cellular service providers can now submit proposals detailing plans to address gaps and deficiencies in cellular infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities in the County, including completing an assessment and map of cellular connectivity, adding communications infrastructure to improve cellular connectivity and helping identify resources to offset the cost of investment.
“Cellphone service is essential for the safety, prosperity and growth of communities,” stated Warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie. “The Municipality has prioritized improving cellphone service for the residents and businesses of the County and the RFP will lead to new Municipal investments to ensure the challenges caused by lack of cellular service is addressed.”
The Request for Proposals closes June 25th, with evaluation of proposals to begin the following week. The Request for Proposals is available for download here as well as the Province of Nova Scotia’s procurement website.
The Municipality of the County of Inverness, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Breton Highlands and located on the Western and Northern side of Cape Breton, is home to over 14,000 people. It is known all over the world for its breathtaking viewscapes, its vibrant and unique culture, and its connection to nature, making it a popular tourist destination and a welcoming place to settle down.
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Media contact:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications & Community Engagement Specialist
902-258-7513
Karolyn.Aucoin@invernesscounty.ca