TÉMISCOUATA-SUR-LE-LAC, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 22, 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, announces that Camping Cabano Inc. has been awarded financial assistance to expand and upgrade its campground facilities.

"The Government of Canada is supporting Camping Cabano's project because it will increase tourism accommodations in the Témiscouata RCM, which will generate spinoffs for the local economy," said Minister Lebel.

The project involves creating 35 new three-service campsites, converting 15 existing but unserviced campsites (no hookups) into three-service campsites and upgrading the common areas. These 50 campsites will be specifically designed for short-term rentals. Once the project is completed, Camping Cabano will boast a total of 191 campsites. The project is consistent with the Témiscouata regional country municipality's socioeconomic development strategy adopted in anticipation of the grand opening, in 2012, of the Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata. Camping Cabano is strategically located on Highway 85 linking Quebec, New Brunswick and the United States, and near several points of interest for tourists, including the Parc linéaire interprovincial Petit Témis (Petit Témis interprovincial cycling trail), the Jardins célestes du Témiscouata (Celestial Gardens), Aster, the Bas Saint-Laurent science station, public observatory and interpretation centre, and the Parc-Aventure Mont-Citadelle.

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Bas-Saint-Laurent has made tourism an economic development priority based on the 2,500 jobs this sector generates in the region. This repayable financial assistance of $70,000 has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Community Diversification program. Thanks to an overall investment of $162,250, the Cabano campground, which currently has a three-star rating, is expected to rank as a four-star facility.

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