16 January 2007
Miramichi, New Brunswick
The Miramichi Diversification Initiative, a new program
designed to help companies impacted by the closure of the
UPM Kymmene Kraft Mill to strategically diversify their
products and markets, was launched today. The initiative
is supported by the federal, provincial and municipal
governments as well as Enterprise Miramichi and CBDC
Northumberland. The Miramichi Diversification Initiative will target
business that are producing or manufacturing products
and/or services primarily exported outside the region. It
will be supported by a local committee composed of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Service
Canada, the Province of New Brunswick, Community Business
Development Corporation (CBDC), Enterprise Miramichi and
the City of Miramichi."Canada's New Government is working in partnership to get
things done for the people of Miramichi," said the
Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and
Regional Minister for New Brunswick, on behalf of the
Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Minister for ACOA. "Today's investment of over $480,000 in
the Miramichi Diversification Initiative is critical to
helping the companies impacted by the closure of the local
mill to overcome their challenges, ultimately enhancing
future economic opportunities for the region."The Initiative's primary goal is to first, help companies
directly impacted by the closure of the mill. Secondly, it
will work with companies indirectly impacted by the
closure, to ensure their sustainability and employment
opportunities. "We are demonstrating our commitment to the Miramichi
region and to the diversification of New Brunswick's
economy," said Public Safety Minister John Foran, on behalf
of the Honourable Roly MacIntyre, Minister of Supply and
Services and Minister responsible for the Regional
Development Corporation. "We believe that strategic
investments like this will help to set our province on a
path to self-sufficiency.""This project directly meets our strategic goals as an
Economic Development agency. It brings us together with
our partners to assist the economic base of companies in
our area to help ensure their long-term viability though
improved processes, marketing, human resource and capital
management," said Pam Ward, Chairperson of Enterprise
Miramichi. ACOA is investing a total of $480,750 towards the $731,000
project, while the Province of New Brunswick is
contributing $112,500 through the Regional Development
Corporation and the Department of Post-Secondary Education,
Training and Labour. In addition, participating companies
will provide a total of $137,750 towards costs related to
consultants and/or marketing.
For additional information, contact:
Sharon Stanford-Rutter
ACOA
506-451-2677
Bruce MacFarlane
RDC
506-444-4606Working directly with committee members, participants,
businesses directly or indirectly impacted by the closure
of the UPM Kymmene Kraft Mill in 2004, will each undergo an
analysis of strengths and weaknesses. Industry experts
will then be engaged to help assist with specific needs
such as: productivity improvements, exploration of new
markets, skills, technology acquisition and innovative
product and service development. The ultimate objective is
to enable participants to maintain or increase their
current employment levels.
