The Town of Mulgrave is a much different place today than it was in the past. The Town of Mulgrave has had a past with ups and downs being linked to such industries as the lumber, fishing, and railroad. After the construction of the causeway, many of the local businesses were forced to close their doors, young families began to seek employment in other areas outside of town, and the town seen experienced an economic depression. Despite the hard times that followed the construction of the Canso Causeway, Mulgrave and its residents would survive. The town of Mulgrave has had to expand its focus from such industries as the lumber, fishing and railroad to new and innovative ones with the help from the creation of a local development authority. The town's marine connections have played a big part in the past, present and will in the future. Today large employers of the town, such as Mulgrave Machine Works, ACS Trading, Professional Center, and Ocean Nutrition, provide some stability for the residents of Mulgrave. The Strait Superport is also there to promote the area and bring added benefits to the town.

Resources and Services

Eastern Counties Regional Library, Ocean Nutrition Canada, Professional Centre, Fire Department, Credit Union, Medical/Dental Centre

In 1996, the total number of occupied dwellings in the Town of Mulgrave was 330, with the majority of the households having 2 or less people living in them. There were 245 census families living in private households and 210 husband-wife families living in private households. The average annual households income for the Town of Mulgrave was $ 42,077. Population of the different areas can be obtained here.

Regional Economy and Employers

The Town of Mulgrave is a small Municipality located on the Western side of the Strait of Canso. It is proud of its heritage as a marine shipping centre. It serves as the major terminus of all rail and automobile traffic between Cape Breton Island and the mainland of Nova Scotia. This activity provided the major stimulus for the Town's economy. Both car and train ferry's transported passengers and goods to and from Cape Breton Island. With the construction of the Canso Causeway across the Strait of Canso, the requirement to pass through Mulgrave was eliminated, and the amount of economic activity was greatly reduced. Ship building was also prominent in the Town of Mulgrave, but with the shift from ships to trucks as a method of transportation removed the need for new vessels.

Mulgrave's past is linked to its present and its future through its marine connections. Today the Town of Mulgrave's economy is being revived with the companies such as Mulgrave Machine Works, the Strait Area School Board, the Town of Mulgrave, ACS Trading, the Professional Centre and Ocean Nutrition considered the largest employers in the Town. As well, the newly formed Strait of Canso Superport Corporation is negotiating to assume control of the Mulgrave Wharf. This body which consists of marine shipping and community interests will provide marketing and development services to promote the region and bring additional benefits to the town.

Major Employers for the Town of Mulgrave

- Ocean Nutrition
- ACS Trading
- Martin Marietta
- East Coast Hydraulics
- Mulgrave Machine Works Ltd.