10 September 2004 Florenceville, New Brunswick Potato World, a new tourist attraction promoting all aspects of the potato industry, celebrated its official opening today. "After five years of planning and hard work, this dream has finally become a reality," said Marilyn Strong, Chairman of the New Brunswick Potato Museum Board of Directors. "We could not have done this without the generous support of the federal and provincial governments, community and local businesses since the very beginning." The Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); Premier Bernard Lord; Andy Savoy, MP for Tobique-Mactaquac; Deputy Premier Dale Graham, Minister of Supply and Services and MLA for Carleton; and other dignitaries from the community attended the event. "The Government of Canada is pleased to be a partner in the creation of this new tourist attraction," said Minister McGuire. "Potato World will provide visitors, students, farmers, and community members an opportunity to learn more about an industry that has been playing a significant role in the region's economic development for more than a hundred years, by creating thousands of jobs for New Brunswickers." "The Province of New Brunswick is proud to contribute to this new facility which will promote this important agricultural product and its impact on the economy of New Brunswick," said Premier Bernard Lord, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. Potato World¿s learning and discovery centre will house displays of vintage potato machinery, applications of the latest information technology, interactive and interpretive displays of scientific and technological tools used by the industry and agricultural community programs. A small café will provide delicious potato-based refreshments to tourists and other visitors. Potato World will partner with other tourist attractions to cross promote the entire region's visitor offerings. It is estimated that Potato World will attract 9,000 people during its first year of operation. ACOA invested $449,465 for the establishment of Potato World through its Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF). The Province of New Brunswick contributed $500,000 through the Regional Development Corporation. Other partners who helped bring this project to completion include the villages of Florenceville, Centreville, and Bristol, as well as local businesses and citizens. SCIF was created to support strategic initiatives that contribute to community economic development in Atlantic Canada. Its purpose is to help communities create opportunities for economic development that will attract investments and stimulate employment. SCIF is a component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP). The New Brunswick potato industry has 280 farm units, with 400 producers and approximately 7000 workers. New Brunswick potatoes are exported to approximately 35 countries and generate more than 1.3 Billion dollars in direct and indirect benefit. - 30 - Ron Crozier Office of the Minister for ACOA (902) 888-4150 Stéphanie Bilodeau Senior Communications Officer, ACOA-NB. (506) 452-3304 Bruce MacFarlane Regional Development Corporation (506) 444-4606 Marilyn Strong Chair of the NB Potato Museum Inc. (506) 328-2786
