Multiple Projects in Rocky Harbour Area Receive Government Funding

Investments totalling more than $2.1 million from Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador support community, education and business enhancements 

May 13, 2017 – Rocky Harbour (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador recognize the value and importance of strong rural communities to economic health and prosperity, and to the creation of meaningful opportunities and good-paying jobs for the middle class. Together, the federal and provincial governments are investing more than $2.1 million in four projects in communities in Gros Morne National Park. 

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); and the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, also participated in the announcement. 

These investments will support: implementation of Phase 1 of the Town of Rocky Harbour’s Master Development Plan, efforts to enhance programming at Memorial University’s Bonne Bay Marine Station, the establishment of a collaborative partnership between Grenfell Campus and the artistic, environmental and tourism clusters in the Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) region, and upgrades to the trail network in Woody Point.

Together, these initiatives will bolster the region’s diversity and capacity, stimulate tourism and business growth, and foster vibrant communities for the benefit of residents, visitors, students and businesses in the area.

Background Project Information: 

The Town of Rocky Harbour is receiving a non-repayable investment of $770,000 from ACOA and $250,000 through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII) to implement Phase 1 of its Master Development Plan.  Specifically, the project will enhance the waterfront business district through: the renovation of an existing building to develop artisan studios and retail space, and landscaping the property to create a town square; the design and installation of 1000 metres of sidewalk along the waterfront on Main Street North; the acquisition and installation of heritage lighting along the waterfront on Main Street; and the acquisition and installation of uniform signage throughout the town. 

Memorial University of Newfoundland is receiving a non-repayable investment of $498,892 from ACOA and $400,000 from TCII to improve infrastructure at the Bonne Bay Marine Station to support program enhancement and diversification. Specifically, this project includes renovating the existing building to enhance the public aquarium and lecture theatre space for the performing arts, experiential tourism, research and teaching; constructing a new 900 ft² building adjacent to the marine station to house a gallery/studio/creative space; and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment to diversify science-based ecotourism offerings in collaboration with local tourism operators and other community partners. These developments will enhance existing experiential tourism products, create opportunities for new educational marine eco-tourism products, increase the number and diversity of facility users during spring and summer months, attract more users during the fall and winter shoulder and off-season months, and strengthen community partnerships. 

Memorial University of Newfoundland is also receiving a non-repayable investment of $84,160 from ACOA and $85,050 from TCII for the Grenfell Campus to engage a consultant to establish and develop a Gros Morne – Grenfell Campus Innovation and Sustainability Cluster to formalize a collaborative relationship between the campus and the artistic, environmental and tourism clusters in the Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) region. 

The Town of Woody Point is receiving a non-repayable investment of $38,350 from ACOA and $14,750 from TCII to engage a consultant to develop a plan for the Woody Point Trail Network. The plan will guide the town in its trail development so as to enhance the town's tourism products and resulting economic opportunities. The plan will expand the existing Discovery Trail into a complete trail system, connecting to the waterfront and routing throughout the community. Other project activities include a signage strategy, as well as a system of rest areas and lookouts for residents, tourists, and nature-based cultural programming.