The towns of Channel-Port aux Basques and Stephenville are laying the groundwork for economic growth, thanks to the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), a major stimulus initiative contained in the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) today announced close to $1.2 million for two projects that will build capacity in the region. The town of Channel-Port aux Basques will receive $810,704 to create new industrial space and the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland will receive $369,000 to expand programming at its Safety and Emergency Response Training facility in Stephenville.
“By supporting these two facilities, the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is helping the west coast of the island to respond to the downturn in the global economy,” says Minister of State Ashfield. “The availability of industrial space will facilitate the start up of new business ventures in Channel-Port aux Basques, while expanded programming at the SERT facility will create more jobs and attract more visitors to the Stephenville area.”
With this funding, the new industrial space in Channel-Port aux Basques will have direct waterfront access, allowing the town to attract businesses in the marine transportation, mining and the oil and gas industries. The location of the Channel-Port aux Basques harbour also gives businesses access to a short ice-free route to and from the island. The new space, which is a former fish processing facility, will also provide shipping services for importing and exporting as well as docking space for cruise ships visiting the area.
The SERT facility will expand its international standard marine emergencies training program to include a six-day Basic Standard for Training Certification and a four day Watchkeeping (STCW)'95 VI/I program, as required by the marine transportation industry. The additional training capacity will be offered at existing facilities in Stephenville as well as expanded facilities to be constructed at the Port Harmon site in Stephenville. The construction of a two-story facility will be used to simulate various emergency situations. Also included in the project is the installation of a specialized davit to allow for the launching and recovery of lifeboats and the purchase of specialized equipment.
“The renovations to create new industrial space in Channel-Port aux Basques will create employment during the construction phase as the facility undergoes the necessary renovations and upgrades,” says Brian Button, Mayor of Channel-Port aux Basques. “In the long term, the availability of industrial space will help to diversify and expand the local economy.”
“In 2003, we established the SERT as a satellite campus and today it is firmly established with clients throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond,” said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director of MI. “With ACOA's support, we are able to enhance our ability to meet the current needs of students and employers alike.”
Over the next two years, CAF will deliver a total of $1 billion to local economies throughout Canada. The total CAF allocation for Atlantic Canada is $100.4 million and is being delivered in the region by ACOA.
Projects to be funded under CAF could include reforestation activities, investments in machinery or equipment, demonstration of new mining technologies, initiatives to improve market access for products and other local economic diversification activities.
Non-profit organizations; post-secondary institutions; individuals; co-operatives; small and medium-sized enterprises; First Nations governments; and provincial and municipal governments that have eligible projects that can be completed before March 31, 2011 are invited to submit proposals.
Individuals interested in learning more about how to apply for funding under CAF are encouraged to contact their local ACOA office. 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 .
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is providing economic stimulus to the towns of Channel-Port aux Basques and Stephenville under the new $1 billion Community Adjustment Fund. The fund, part of the federal government's Economic Action Plan, will help create jobs and maintain employment in communities across Canada.
ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield today announced $810,704 for the town of Channel-Port aux Basques to acquire new industrial space and $369,000 for the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland to expand programming at its Safety and Emergency Response Training facility in Stephenville. The total CAF allocation for Atlantic Canada is $100.4 million and is delivered in the region by ACOA.
Those eligible to apply include: non-profit organizations; post-secondary institutions; individuals; co-operatives; small-and-medium sized enterprises; First Nations governments; and provincial and municipal governments. Projects must be completed before March 31, 2011. Interested applicants are asked to contact their nearest ACOA office.
INFORMATION: Erin Filliter Office of the Minister of State (ACOA) 613-941-7241 Doug Burgess Director of Public Affairs The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 709-772-2935
