Capital Coast Development Alliance joins  network of 
regional economic development boards established across the province

The new approach to regional economic development is now firmly established throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. On November 12, the Capital Coast Development Alliance became the 18th Regional Economic Development Board (REDB) out of 20 zones to be officially established in the province. The newly-elected board will identify opportunities and coordinate development efforts in the region, which encompasses the northeastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula.

Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - ACOA) (Veterans), and Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, participated in a at Hotel Newfoundland in honor of the volunteers ceremony who have been instrumental in making economic development a reality for the region. Federal this new approach to regional MPs and support. MHAs for the area were also present to extend their

"Having signed the first of these performance contracts in the Labrador Straits, I am pleased to return and endorse not just this contract with the Capital Coast Development Alliance, but the entire regional economic development process," said Secretary MacAulay.

"Regional economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador has taken on a new business-oriented approach, to encourage long-term economic growth and cultivate sustainable employment opportunities throughout the province," said Ms. Foote. "Today's inauguration of the Capital Coast Development Alliance formally endorses the work of the board in this region, just as that of the boards in 17 other regions throughout the province have been endorsed over the past several months."

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 in the province. These Regional Economic Development Boards consist of representatives of municipalities, business, labour, community development groups, education and training institutions, as well as other interests in the zone.

"ACOA works through partnerships. Our partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made it possible to accomplish things that either government working alone would be hard- pressed to do. In the same way, the partnerships embodied in the Capital Coast Development Alliance are formidable in effecting positive change in our communities," said Mr. MacAulay.

"The volunteers who sit on this board are business and community leaders who have been elected by the various stakeholders to represent their interests in economic development," said Ms. Foote. "The Capital Coast Development Alliance is now empowered to lead the way in the identification and coordination of economic initiatives in this region, capitalizing on the priorities and collective strengths as identified by those who know them best, the people who reside in the region."

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 regions of the province strengthened economically.

Proposals to establish 18 REDBs have now been successfully negotiated. Negotiations are ongoing with zones 18 and 20. The agreements negotiated to date took into account the boards' work plan, 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 and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Contact: Paul Murphy, COOPERATION Communications, (709) 772-0219 or Susan Laite, Development and Rural Renewal, (709) 729-4570.

1996 11 14