Heritage storyboards celebrate local culture and history
June 27, 2015 – Port Blandford, NL– Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The heritage and culture of Port Blandford will come to life through a series of heritage storyboards being unveiled in the community today, thanks in part to an investment from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), announced today that federal funding of more $21,000 supported the project.
The initiative includes 12 new interpretive storyboards that have been placed throughout the community to depict the cultural history of the area and demonstrate the significant role that the Town of Port Blandford played in the development of the region. The community was originally settled in the late 1800s and was developed through the logging, sawmilling and railway industries. As the railhead for Bonavista Bay, Port Blandford was the home port of the coastal steamer SS Dundee in the early 1900s and became a commercial centre for nearby Clode Sound.
The storyboard initiative is expected to support tourism in the region by complementing existing activities and attractions, such as the town’s abundant forest, sheltered bay, salmon rivers and close proximity to both summer and winter recreational activities. Funding from the Government of Canada supported the design, development and installation of the storyboards, as well as site preparation, web site enhancement and new promotional materials.
Quick Facts:
- Government of Canada funding of $21,870 was provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund.
- The Town of Port Blandford, incorporated in 1971, is located at the headwaters of Clode Sound in Bonavista Bay on the eastern portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Today’s announcement is another example of how Canada’s Federal Tourism Strategy is encouraging product development and investments in Canadian tourism assets and products.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to celebrate the completion of this initiative, which supports the local economy by contributing to tourism development and growth in the region. The Heritage Storyboard project is also an excellent way to capture the rich history and culture of Port Blandford and share it with residents and visitors for years to come.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Tourism has become a major economic driver for the Town of Port Blandford and the Bonavista Peninsula. This partnership is allowing us to invest in new infrastructure that will assist in fostering an entrepreneurial environment in our community.”
- Chad Holloway, Mayor, Town of Port Blandford
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Kelsie.Corey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Julie Afonso
Acting Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Julie.Afonso@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Chad Holloway
Mayor
Town of Port Blandford
709-543-2170
chadholloway@portblandford.com
