Building Capacity, Sustaining Community

Pictou Landing First Nation Creates Training Facility and Seizes Economic Opportunity

July 20, 2015 – Pictou Landing, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

When Pictou Landing First Nation (PLFN) opened the doors to the award-winning Pictou Landing Heath Centre, the community demonstrated its commitment to sustainable community development and eco-friendly building practices. Reaffirming this commitment, PLFN will construct another green facility this August to house development, training and administration activities while also opening the door for a new business stream in the community.

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA), today announced that the Government of Canada is supporting this project with an investment of $650,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund.  Minister MacKay was joined at the event by Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul.

PLFN, with support from the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, is partnering with MacGregors Industrial Group (a metal fabrication company) and Solar Global Solutions (a renewable energy engineering company) to create an energy-efficient, technology-rich modular building. The pre-fabricated structure has been designed for quick assembly, efficient insulation, and integration of renewable energy technologies such as solar-powered systems. Once complete, the building will become a model for the partnership and serve as a marketing tool to develop sales for similar structures in Canada’s North—where energy costs are prohibitive and construction is challenging.

The new 6,000 square foot facility will also be used for Band administration and as a learning facility for skills training, employment training and programming related to health and other life skills.

In January 2015, the Government of Canada announced $58,000 through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP) to support the planning and design stage of the project.

Quick Facts:

• PLFN is a Mi’kmaq First Nation community of 459 residents, located at the mouth of Pictou Harbour on the Northumberland Strait.
• MacGregors Industrial Group manufactures energy-efficient modular steel buildings that are fabricated in Nova Scotia and shipped throughout North America and other export markets.
• Solar Global Solutions is an advanced technology company focused on renewable energy systems and energy systems management.

Quotes:

“Our Government recognizes the vital role that community-based endeavors such as this training facility play in creating local jobs and generating economic growth in our communities. This project illustrates the wonderful benefits that can result from well-thought out partnerships between private industry and the communities they serve.”

– The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA)

“Pictou Landing First Nation is very excited to be leaders in this innovative, energy-efficient and community-based project. This project, in collaboration with Chambers of Commerce, ACOA, MacGregors and Solar Global Solutions proves what great opportunities exist when communities work together.”

– Chief Andrea Paul, Pictou Landing First Nation

Associated Links:

Contacts:

Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241

Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
Email:  Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Chief Andrea Paul
Pictou Landing First Nation
902-752-4912 / 902-921-1161 (cell)
Email: andrea.p@plfn.ca

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