Government of Canada Lends Financial Support to Kempt Road Development Project

MATAPÉDIA, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 29, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the awarding of $46,186 in non-repayable funding to the Kempt Road Heritage Committee for the renewal of the Kempt Road Interpretation Centre's permanent exhibit and the development of multimedia tools. Kempt Road is an important part of Gaspésie's historical heritage and an example of the contribution the French- and English-speaking communities made to the development of the region.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support this Kempt Road development project, which is sure to enhance the tourism offering in the Gaspésie region," said Minister Lebel.

Kempt Road was the first land route linking the Lower St. Lawrence area and the Atlantic provinces. Built between 1830 and 1832, it played a determining role in the settlement of the Gaspésie region. The Kempt Road Interpretation Centre recounts the fascinating history of this route through an impressive collection of photographs, maps, historical documents, artefacts and antiques depicting life as it was in the early 19^th century. Located at the border between Gaspésie and New Brunswick and in close proximity to the tourist information office and the Battle of the Restigouche National Historic Site, the Centre is well-positioned to incite visitors to discover Kempt Road and its history.

The Kempt Road development project involves not only renewing the permanent exhibit at the interpretation centre, but also designing an audio guide, developing the historical trail into a pilgrimage site and restoring the Broadlands and Saint-Fidèle cemeteries. With this project, the Kempt Road Heritage Committee hopes to make the area a unique attraction within the Gaspésie tourism circuit.

The financial assistance has been granted through the Economic Development Initiative provided for under the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013. With its $10.2 million budget over five years, this Canada Economic Development initiative seeks to foster the economic development of official-language minority communities (OLMCs) through a range of activities including innovation, entrepreneurship, partnership and economic diversification.

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