July 26, 1996
(Development and Rural Renewal)
Minister announces 18 of 19
Regional Economic Development Boards established
Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, Judy
Foote, today announced that regional economic development boards have been
established in 18 of the original 19 economic zones across Newfoundland and
Labrador. The minister also announced that a decision has been made to split
economic zone 18, bringing the total number of economic zones to 20. The split
of zone 18 comes after extensive consultations with the zone 18 working
committee who indicated that the economies of the two sides of the initial zone
were sufficiently different to warrant the establishment of two separate zones.
"I am pleased with the progress the zones are
making," said Ms. Foote. "Provisional board members have stepped down and the
permanent boards are now in place. I intend to travel to every zone to sign
performance contracts establishing the permanent boards, to thank the members of
the provisional boards and welcome the new members of the permanent boards.
Volunteers have been the driving force in this process and it is to their credit
that 18 boards are now in place."
Since the beginning of May, accompanied by
Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
(Veteran's Affairs), or the federal Member of Parliament for the region, the
minister has attended ceremonies recognizing the work of the provisional and
permanent board members in eight zones: the Hyron Regional Economic Development
Corporation in zone 2; the Central Labrador Economic Development Corporation in
zone 3; the Southeastern Aurora Development Corporation in zone 4; the Labrador
Straits Development Corporation in zone 5; the Baccalieu Board of Economic
Development Corporation in zone 17; the Discovery Regional Development Board in
zone 15; the South Western Marine & Mountain Zone Corporation in zone 10; and
the Long Range Economic Development Board in zone 9. Dates are being worked on
for the ceremonies in each of the remaining zones with the signing taking place
in Zone 16, the Schooner Regional Development Corporation, on July 26, and Zone
13, Coast of Bays Corporation, on August 2.
"This new approach to economic development is
gaining momentum all across the province," said the minister. "There is a clear
expression of commitment by the volunteers involved in the zonal process, who
are working to build a future for their community, their region and their
province. Each regional economic development board is focused on bringing
together and building on the strengths of their region. The key to this new
approach to economic development is partnership and cooperation, and together we
are working to make our vision a reality."
The role of the provisional boards was to
determine the structure of the Regional Economic Development Board (REDB) for
their region and to negotiate a Phase 1 Performance Contract with the
Canada/Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification COOPERATION Agreement (SRDA)
Management Committee. Once the regional economic development board is in place,
they are given one year to develop a strategic economic plan for the zone and
then negotiate Phase 2 of the Performance Contract with the SRDA Management
Committee. Phase 2 gives the REDB a five year contract to implement the
strategic economic plan for the zone, with annual assessments reviewing the
progress of the boards and governments in fulfilling their respective
commitments.
In February of 1995 the Government of Canada and
the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a new approach to regional
economic development, as recommended by the Task Force on Community Economic
Development. This involved the creation of new community-based volunteer boards
to support economic development planning and coordination within specific zones
of the province. Regional economic development boards consist 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
community economic development activities within their respective regions.
Contact: Clifford Grinling, Public Relations,
(709) 729-4570.
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