14 July 2009
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor is taking an important step forward in its efforts to diversify the economy of the region with the support of investments by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) today announced almost $5.9 million is to be invested in a number of initiatives to assist the Central Newfoundland community. These investments will help attract industries and commercial businesses to the Exploits Valley region.
"The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan was designed to help communities like Grand Falls-Windsor diversify their economies, allowing them to build a strong and sustainable future," said Minister Ashfield. "This announcement today includes a significant federal investment of almost $5.9 million which will help attract industries and commercial business to the Central Newfoundland area to create jobs and help strengthen the local economy."
Today's funding announcement involves four distinct projects that have been developed with input from the municipality, the private sector, as well as Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine.
"These projects result from the hard work and commitment of many individuals, groups and businesses," said Grand Falls- Windsor Mayor Rex Barnes. "The announcements today are part of our focussed attempt to revitalize our community after the closure of the Abitibi Bowater mill, and the difficulties it has caused many families and businesses in the region. This is a very important first step towards that revitalization."
Canada's Economic Action Plan provides a total of $1 billion in economic stimulus over two years through the Community Adjustment Fund program (CAF) to support initiatives in communities across the country directed at local economic diversification.
For more information regarding the CAF application process, please consult ACOA's website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Support for Cranberry Production (CAF - $3 million)
This initiative will assist the town in its efforts to further develop the Newfoundland and Labrador cranberry industry specifically in the Exploits region. This project will involve pre-commercial expansion of the industry, including the development of up to 120 additional acres of production, site selection analysis and development of a comprehensive report outlining opportunities for future commercial development.
To expand this industry and provide more economic stimulus to the region, the Town has signed a memorandum of understanding with 11 private sector partners to develop the additional acreage. The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is contributing $3 million toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF).
Riverfront and Downtown Development (CAF - $2 million)
The town is also undertaking efforts to invigorate the tourism potential of the century-old section of the community through a Riverfront and Downtown Development Plan. This project will revitalize the downtown area of the community and enhance the area's capacity to retain and attract new businesses and enhance its tourism market. The project will also provide a pedestrian link to the Exploits River, where activities will be undertaken to improve public access to the riverfront.
This project is being supported by a contribution of $2 million from ACOA's Community Adjustment Fund.
Rotary Club of Grand Falls-Windsor (CAF - $158,034)
The Rotary Club of Grand Falls-Windsor will complete Phase III of a public green space project in the town. The project includes completion of a parking lot, installation of signage, lighting, a boardwalk, and the planting of trees and shrubs. The Rotary Park project will complement existing tourism infrastructure within the municipality and provide residents and visitors with additional recreation and leisure space.
This project will be supported by a contribution of $158,034 under the Community Adjustment Fund.
Research Office - MUN Faculty of Medicine (CAF - $740,000)
Memorial University of Newfoundland will establish a new research office in Grand Falls-Windsor as part of a provincial network of outreach offices conducting research on human genetic disorders and population health in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This project is being supported by a contribution of just over $740,000 from ACOA's Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), The project is also receiving funding from the Canadian Information Health Research centre and Genome Canada. The Grand Falls-Windsor office will start with a staff of six, growing to 12 over the life of the project.
MUN's Associate Dean of Clinical Research, Dr. Pat Parfrey, explained that the Grand Falls-Windsor research office will combine the opportunities arising from the distinctive characteristics of the province's population with the expertise of a proven interdisciplinary research team.
"Our research program has resulted in substantial economic benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador through research funding and employment of highly skilled personnel," said Dr. Parfrey. "MUN's Interdisciplinary Research Team in Human Genetics has developed key partnerships with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Health and Community Services, Central Health Corporation and rural physicians who will directly benefit from the evidence-based research that emerges from the work."
ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield today announced that almost $5.9 million will be invested in four initiatives to assist the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor attract and retain industries and commercial business to the entire Exploits Valley region. The Minister confirmed that today's announcement will create jobs and help strengthen the local economy.
The four projects include support for cranberry production, specifically in the Exploits Valley region; tourism and business development for the High Street and Riverfront areas of the Town; completion of Rotary Club green space project in the town and a new office of research for Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine, which will create highly skilled jobs in genome research.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is contributing almost $5.9 million toward the four projects under the Community Adjustment Fund. This $1 billion national fund is an economic stimulus initiative under Canada's Economic Action Plan, designed to support local economic diversification.
Erin Filliter
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA) 613-941-7241
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935
Mayor Rex Barnes
Town of Grand Falls-Windsor
709-489-0483
Dr. Pat Parfrey
Associate Dean, Clinical Research
Memorial University Medical School
709-777-7261
Barry Bartlett
Community Park Chairperson
Rotary Club of Grand Falls-Windsor
709-489-2514
