27 July 2011
Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (Marine Institute) will open its first regional fisheries and marine centre in Lewisporte thanks to a combined investment of over $470,000 by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. The centre builds on the cluster of marine activity in Lewisporte and will invite spin-off benefits for local businesses and service industries.
“The establishment of this facility will grow the fisheries and marine sectors, strengthen community infrastructure and improve economic development capacity in Lewisporte and in communities throughout this region,” said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queens Privy Council. “It will create jobs, offer new educational options for students and help grow the local economy.”
“Lewisporte is abuzz with commercial and recreational marine activity,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. “Collectively, this activity is leading to new and exciting developments that will resonate in the area over the long-term. The Marine Institute’s decision to locate its first regional fisheries and marine centre in Lewisporte will capitalize on this activity and help grow the local marine sector through education, training, and applied research and development.” The Marine Institute’s first regional fisheries and marine centre was welcomed by Wade Verge, the MHA for Lewisporte. Mr. Verge attributes the decision to the high level of marine activity being experienced in the area, which includes fuel and freight supply capabilities for shipping to northern jurisdictions, a port for the Canadian Coast Guard, and a full-service marina for recreational boating, as well as aquaculture and seafood harvesting.
"Our vision for future economic growth in Lewisporte district includes a greater emphasis on the marine sector,” said Wade Verge, MHA, Lewisporte. “It is exciting to officially welcome the Marine Institute to Lewisporte to begin what I believe will be a long-term mutually- beneficial partnership." Located temporarily at the Dietrac College facility in Lewisporte, the Marine Institute’s regional fisheries and marine centre will promote capacity development in education, training and applied research. In the short term, three positions will be required with more anticipated in the future. The Marine Institute will additionally use this experience as a means of determining the overall effectiveness of establishing fisheries and marine centres in other parts of the province. “The Marine Institute is committed to enabling Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in the marine industry nationally and internationally,” said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director, Fisheries and Marine Institute. “Lewisporte is a major hub for marine activity in this province and this centre opens the opportunity for our students and clients in central Newfoundland and Labrador to participate in innovative training and applied research activities close to where they work and live. By offering a broad range of programming and collaborating with industry clients, we hope to make a positive contribution to the development and expansion of the fishing and marine industry in this region.”
The Government of Canada’s investment of $307,812 in this project was provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment of $169,271 was provided through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund. The program, through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador has $5 million available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides non- repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.
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Doug Burgess Director,
Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570; 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Kimberley Thornhill
Educational Marketing Coordinator
Fisheries and Marine Institute
709-778-0544; 709-691-9221
Kim.Thornhill@mi.mun.ca
