Two regional economic development boards officially launched in central

The new approach to regional economic development is fast becoming a reality as two more Regional Economic Development Boards (REDBs) become officially established in the province. The Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation and the Central North East Regional Economic Development Corporation will become the 14th and 15th RED Boards to be officially launched by the federal and provincial governments.

In a public ceremony at Norris Arm this evening, Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal and Paul Mills, Acting Vice President of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and (Veterans Affairs) will recognize the valuable role the boards will be able to play in the economic development of their regions.

"We have reached an important point in the economic development of these regions," said Ms. Foote. "The volunteers who have been elected to these boards are now empowered to lead the way in the identification and implementation of economic initiatives in their regions. Their collective strengths will contribute to maximizing the economic potential of their zones through long-term job creation and a stronger, more diversified economic base. The opportunities in this region in aquaculture, forestry, manufacturing and tourism have greater potential for success through this integrated approach to development."

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 involves the creation of new community-based volunteer boards to support economic development planning and coordination within the 20 zones of the province. REDBs consist of representatives of municipalities, business, labour, community development groups, education and training institutions and other interests in the zone.

"This new structure for delivering governments' regional development programs is already having a positive impact on how economic initiatives take shape and happen within communities around our province," said Mr. Mills. "The higher degree of coordinated volunteer effort in regions is resulting in initiatives with greater economic potential for long-term sustainable development."

The formation of permanent REDBs marks a milestone in this process in which the focus of attention now shifts from the creation of new community-based organizations to the action phase of identifying, prioritizing and implementing new development initiatives that will see all the regions of the province strengthened economically.

Proposals to establish 18 REDBs in the province have already been successfully negotiated. These agreements were negotiated considering the boards' work plan, regional geography, population, number of communities and transportation networks. The southern Avalon Peninsula, which originally constituted one economic zone, has been split and work has already begun at the community level to establish REDBs in zones 18 and 20.

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 and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

• Contact:

  Paul Murphy
  COOPERATION Communications
  (709) 772-0219

  Randy Devine
  Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
  (709) 772-2945

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