Gladys Mulligan

Audrey Morris and Jean Gaudet

Rev. Edmund J. Roche

Kinkora’s agriculture” should be made;12 but left Open the possibility of almost any type of deve10pment: industrial, commercial and residential!3 In 1986, after purchasing the two former elementary and secondary schools, the coun- cil had them renovated for commercial and residential uses]4 In 1988 the RBI. government established the East Prince Area Industrial Commission “to provide regional focus on economic development in the area?’15 The commission involves communities from a wide area that includes Townships 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 67; and had its offices located in Kinkora Place, with Raymond Smith of Newton as secretary—treasurer]6

132

Two patterns emerge from examining these activities: Kinkora has become a recognized centre in East Prince County, and has taken on a more out—looking, regional focus than it previously had; and government assistance, financial and planning, has played a major role in this change. Nevertheless, the future of Kinkora, as the Coun- cillors recognized in their 1984 study, depends on maintain— ing an adequate population and this is critical. Ever since 1891 the rural population of P.E.I. has been in decline. In- creases in population in RBI. in the 19705 and 19805 were mostly in the major urban centres of Charlottetown and Summersidel7 Official statistics for the five communities are not available; however, the following statistics are sug- gestive. Table 12:2 presents the official population statistics for Kinkora since it became an incorporated Village in 1955.

Table 12:2, Kinkora Village Population“

1956 - 266 1961 — 271 1966 - 268 1971 - 272 1976 — 278 1981 - 283 1986 — 255

Somerset Elementary School