Yarmouth businesses react to the Cat coming back

The owner of a boutique B&B just outside ofYarmouthsays he's been sitting on a pile of resumes, waiting to hear what happens with theferry to Maine.

Thursday's news of a deal to secure a new ferry for this season means Churchill Mansion Innis nowlooking to hire help for the season.

• 17 facts about the new Yarmouth ferry

"[The ferry] is huge," said PaulJespersen. "There's absolutely no doubt about it, the benefits, the spinoffs."

Bay Ferries is chartering the ferry from the U.S. navy, and will name it the Cat, the same moniker for the previous ferry it ranto Maine that stopped operating in 2009.

After upgrades, the newship is expected to start service around June 15.

There will be morningdepartures fromYarmouthand mid-afternoon departures from Portland. The company saidthis will create demand for overnight accommodations in southwest Nova Scotia.

"This is excellent news absolutely,"Jespersensaid.

Bay Ferries Ltd. replaces Nova Star Cruises as the operator of the route. The new schedule is an improvement on the old, whichhad passengersstaying overnight in Portland,Jespersensaid. That was a major concernhe heard from other innkeepers inYarmouth.

A full caf

The Shanty CafinYarmouthis also pleased about today's news, as theferry services means more traffic coming through the doors.

"A lot of them are surprised to find aCubancaf in the middle of downtownYarmouth," said marketing manager MichaelCarbonell.

The cafoffers jobs to people with barriers to employment, including disabilities and language skills.

Carbonellsays visitors off the ferry appreciate the work done by the social enterprise.

"They like it. They enjoy it. They recognize it,"Carbonellsaid. "They leave us always good comment onTripadvisor."

Trucking no-go

The newCat will not be taking transport trucks because the City of Portland doesn't want more on the roads.

The president of the trucking companyChebogue Fisheries Ltd. inYarmouthsays that's a disappointment.

"I just was astounded when they said they didn't want [commerical trucks]," saidNeil LeBlanc.

Over the last two years the company sent a truck carrying lobster and fisheach day byferry to Maine.Now, they'll have to go by SaintJohn, N.B.

He said it will have an impact on the company's bottom line.

"If Portland wants to pay the bills [for the ferry], thenmaybe Portland should have some input on whether they want trucks on the streets or not," said LeBlanc.

He said there are trucks there every single day, and his trucks go there two or three times a week.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said she's thrilled the ferry has been announcement and ispleased with the new sailing times.

Mood said she understands some are disappointed the vesselwon't take trucks, but notes the last Cat didn't either.

"I hate to say it like this because you know I get crucified when I say the wrong thing, but we can't have it all," she said.