There’s a lot of talk these days about the importance of Canadian-owned properties, especially as Canadian brands like Delta Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are gobbled up by larger, foreign investors. While the “Canadian-ness” of these properties are not necessarily in jeopardy, there are also no controls in place to protect that heritage either.

Certainly all hotels, by their very nature, do a great deal to support local economies. But in properties that don’t have a local ownership, profits often find their way back to owners and investors that don’t necessarily have a vested interest in protecting the interests of the community in which the property is located.

Which is why supporting the ongoing success of smaller, locally owned properties and brands throughout Canada is so important.

Today, Canada welcomes another locally owned property, the 94-room Hampton Inn and Suites at Millbrook First Nation, the first ever Hampton Inn to be located on a First Nation reserve. The Millbrook First Nation is a Mi'kmaq community located near Truro, NS, with 1,812 total band members.

"Millbrook marks several milestones with this new hotel, the first Hampton Inn on reserve, the continuation of our long time partnership with Glenn Squires and Pacrim Hospitality as a business partner and operator of the hotel,” said Bob Gloade, Chief, Millbrook First Nation. “More importantly it provides employment opportunities for community members, which is the key for future economic development as Millbrook continues to grow going forward."

In part, thanks to a $1,000,000 investment through INAC's Community Opportunity Readiness Program (CORP), the Millbrook First Nation, which also owns the Truro Power Centre, maintains a 51 per cent majority share of the hotel. The remaining 49 percent is owned by Maplewood Hospitality.

"Economic development projects like this one go a long way toward providing Indigenous communities with the capacity, tools and resources they need to prosper and provide more services and amenities to their members — that's why I'm proud we are supporting this initiative,” said Bill Casey, M.P. for Cumberland-Colchester.

The 94-room property is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway, near Truro Business Park and less than an hour from Halifax International Airport.

"Our hotel's opening extends the brand's signature Hamptonality (into) Nova Scotia," said Mark Laughlin, general manager. "Guests will enjoy our comfortable accommodations, convenient location and our value-added amenities."

The hotel provides guests with a complete line-up of standard “Hamptonality” amenities, including the On the House hot breakfast which includes eggs, oatmeal and waffles. The hotel also comes with free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center with complimentary printing, an indoor pool and fitness center and complimentary parking.

For more information, visit hampton.com.

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