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July 11, 1996
(COOPERATION Agreement)

 

Long Range Regional Economic Development Board established

The Long Range Regional Economic Development Board today became the eighth economic zone in the province to enter into a one-year partnership with the federal and provincial governments. During this process the board will work with both levels of government to develop a five-year strategic plan based on economic initiatives identified within the region.

During the official ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Stephenville, Roger Simmons, M.P. - Burin-St. George's, on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (Veterans Affairs), and Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, recognized the work of volunteers as the driving force behind the zonal approach to regional economic development.

Regional economic development boards (REDBs) are composed of representatives from municipalities, community development groups, the business, labour, and education sectors, and special interest groups unique to the region. The boards perform a number of leadership functions including the coordination of all economic development activities within their respective regions.

"This new approach to economic development we are celebrating here today is not a departure from what has come before. This process of integrating all community stakeholders builds on the strengths developed over the last 25 years within the rural development movement in this province," said Mr. Simmons. "The results of your deliberations and decisions will better reflect the long-term development needs of this entire region."

"This region learned early on how to identify and integrate key community stakeholders into a single regional organization," said Ms. Foote. "The Port au Port Round Table on Community Education was an exemplary forerunner to the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board. In fact, the round table has served as a model for other zones, helping them focus on what was necessary to ensure the future viability of their communities. Now, with this new partnership between both levels of government and the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board, the communities in this zone will be strengthened even further as they move to implement those economic initiatives which they determine to be priorities for their area."

The formation of permanent regional economic development boards marks a milestone in the economic zone process. The focus of attention now shifts from the creation of new boards to the action phase of identifying, prioritizing and implementing new development initiatives that will see all regions of the province strengthened economically.

Proposals to establish 18 REDBs have already been successfully negotiated. These agreements took into account the work plans of the individual boards, as well as regional geography, population, number of communities and transportation networks.

Financial support for the economic zone process comes from the Canada/Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification COOPERATION Agreement which is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Contact:

  • Paul Murphy
    COOPERATION Communications
    (709) 772-0219

    Susan Laite
    Development and Rural Renewal
    (709) 729-4570

1996 07 11 6:30 p.m.

 


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