The Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn to get new permanent structure
News release
Enhanced community infrastructure will extend operating season and promote business growth
April 6, 2018 – Clarenville, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Dynamic and sustainable communities are the foundation of economic development and prosperity. Supporting entrepreneurship and investing in business opportunities helps connect people to jobs, attracts new business, and creates economic growth. That is why the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are investing more than $334,000 to build a permanent, weather-safe structure at the Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn, providing local area farmers, craft and food producers with an upgraded space to sell their products, which will improve customer experience and enhance the region's status as a tourism destination.
Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced $241,458 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund to support the Farm and Market project. Colin Holloway, Member of the House of Assembly for the district of Terra Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), announced provincial funding of $92,868 for the project.
The Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn is a social enterprise where specialty crops are locally grown, harvested, and sold to the community, and other vendors sell their products. It produces meaningful employment for persons with disabilities living in the region through the work of the Ability Employment Corporation (AEC) and promotes healthy living, culinary education and diversity.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to create opportunities for all Atlantic Canadians, support long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities in a variety of areas, including tourism.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada believes that investing in communities like Clarenville is necessary to strengthen the middle class and provide municipalities with the building blocks they need to grow, develop opportunities and support a high standard of living for all Canadians and their families. Strategic investments like this one build on competitive regional advantages and support diversification of our communities.”- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Canada’s economic success comes from its strong communities, and the exceptional people who live, work and serve in them every day. A new, permanent facility for the Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn supports community growth, job creation, an extended tourism season, and social enterprise.”
- Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“Through our government’s commitments in The Way Forward and sector work plans, our collaborative actions will cultivate the conditions necessary to foster new and expanding business activity including social enterprise development. These efforts focus on stimulating employment for residents in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn is a prime example of how social enterprises help create healthy communities and job opportunities. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, the innovative ideas of the entrepreneurs who showcase their products, and support from the community, the Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn has become a popular weekend destination for local residents and tourists. Residents of Clarenville and the surrounding area are excited with the opportunities that a permanent, weather safe structure will bring. I would like to congratulate the Board of Directors for their vision and innovative thinking.”
- Colin Holloway, MHA district of Terra Nova
“The Farm and Market in Clarenville is thrilled to receive the financial support from ACOA and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. This investment will future proof the vision for the Farm and Market and create unknown opportunities for local entrepreneurs while delighting and inspiring people from all walks of life.”
- Keith Pardy, Chairperson, The Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
709-729-4819, 725- 9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Krista Reader-Chatman
The Farm and Market at Clarenville Inn Inc.
709-425-1704
threemileridge@gmail.com