ESKASONI, N.S. — Eskasoni could soon add three new tenants to its shopping plaza.
On Sunday, the First Nation’s band council received $500,000 from the federal government to add three more loading docks to the commercial complex currently anchored by the Foodland grocery store.
Chief Leroy Denny said they have already nailed down one new tenant and negotiations with two others are underway and “very close.”
If all three deals go through, it could create upwards of 60 jobs in the community.
“It’s for three additional bays at the Eskasoni supermarket — at our plaza — and we’re going to add three bays with three potential businesses. One of them for sure is Canada Post. I can’t mention the other two — they’re still under negotiations, they’re still under talks.”
We'koqma'q First Nation also received a share of the $6.1 million in funding announced by René Arseneault, parliamentary secretary to Mélanie Joly, minister of economic development and official languages and minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
WFN Fish Farm Ltd. Partnership was awarded $1 million to expand its fish processing, improve productivity and expand its product line.
The announcement took place on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a day set aside each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s Indigenous population.
Delivered by ACOA, this funding will support 12 infrastructure, expansion and capacity-building initiatives led by Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations in the region.
“I’m pleased that ACOA is working with Indigenous businesses and communities at this critical time,” Arsenault said in a news release. “(Sunday’s) announcement will support 12 projects that will protect jobs and help businesses grow and remain competitive. It will also help community organizations move forward with local economic development opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Denny said he hopes to announce the new tenants “very soon” — possibly within a couple of weeks.
He said Eskasoni is determined to continue growing its economy.
“We’re always open for business and it’s just going to open more. We have a very good business development and capacity in Eskasoni. Our population is growing fast and in this COVID era, we’re able to prove that we can run our own economy here and we just want to help it grow and keep it local.”
