Nova Scotia's main streets will be lined with new flower beds or a freshly painted bench as part of the province's community revitalization program, Mainstreet 2.0, announced today, July 26.

Mainstreet 2.0 is a companion to the First Impressions program that is part of the province's tourism strategy. Both aim to support the development of attractive, distinctive and visitor-friendly downtowns and main streets.

"Families and small business owners have great pride in their communities and the original main street program was a great success, helping make a few small improvements with big impact," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex, on behalf of Communities Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra. "Now that Nova Scotians have a balanced budget, the province is able to look to the future and support initiatives that help make life better for families and their communities."

Mainstreet 2.0 will provide grants of up to $1,000 to help community groups and municipalities beautify their main streets. Total funding for the program will be $1.5 million a year

"Our main streets are the first thing visitors see when they arrive," said Ms. Jennex. "A town could use a grant to purchase flower beds, art murals, or a new coat of paint for doors or benches. The province is pleased to stand with local communities and bring this program back."

"Our downtowns represent the heart and soul of our communities and are crucial to the economic and cultural success of the province as a whole," said Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities president Russell Walker. "Reinstating the Mainstreet Program demonstrates the province's commitment to maintaining and reinvigorating our downtowns."

"As a small business owner in Nova Scotia, I really appreciate the benefits the Mainstreet Program will provide," said Jani MacDonald, owner of Jane's Again Boutique in Wolfville. "This is good for communities and I appreciate this government providing this opportunity."

Program applications will be available this winter and grants will be approved in the spring.