October 22, 1999
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Development and Rural Renewal salutes small businesses

Did you know that two-thirds of Newfoundland and Labrador's businesses are small businesses? Did you know that since the 1980s small businesses have created more than 80 per cent of all new jobs in this province?

The growing achievements of small businesses and their contribution to economic growth and employment creation will be spotlighted the week of October 24 to 30 as the country celebrates Small Business Week, an annual event organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal has organized many of its own events to salute Small Business Week, and is participating in many others, in partnership with other agencies (itinerary attached).

"Small business owners in Newfoundland and Labrador are helping make our economy the fastest growing provincial economy in Canada. Small Business Week is an excellent opportunity to salute their accomplishments and show our appreciation for their contributions to our economic growth throughout the province," said Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

Mr. Tulk, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Growth, says the contribution of small businesses is one of the themes emerging from the public consultation meetings the committee is holding to renew the province's economic agenda.

"I am delighted that small business owners and chambers of commerce have been participating in the meetings to date. Their enthusiasm as partners in growing our economy is evident during their presentations to the Cabinet Committee," Mr. Tulk said. "As the public consultation process continues through to November 23, I encourage other small businesses to participate and share their views on the renewal of our economic agenda. We welcome their views and suggestions."

Mr. Tulk said that small business growth is contributing significantly to the diversification of the province's economy, especially in rural areas. Entrepreneurs are expanding into new areas such as aquaculture, tourism, manufacturing, innovative and advanced technologies, food services, and various forms of specialized business services.

"From small beginnings, businesses such as these make a big difference to our economy," Mr. Tulk said.

The itinerary that follows indicates Small Business Week activities that the Department of Development and Rural Renewal has either organized or is participating in:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

- Clarenville B Presentation on online tendering database, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., College of the North Atlantic, Room 104.

- Corner Brook B Business Development Summit '99, Holiday Inn, beginning 4 p.m. with an exhibition, then a banquet with guest speaker Wayne Trask, president of Lefarge Gypsum Canada. Following the dinner the Corner Brook Chamber of Commerce will hold presentations and panel discussions on the small business economy.

- Grand Falls-Windsor B Small Business Week breakfast and business awards ceremony, 7 a.m., Mount Peyton Hotel. One award is sponsored by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

- Stephenville B Official kickoff of Small Business Week, 11 a.m., W.E. Cormack Building. Open House at the same building, 1 - 4 p.m. Dinner, with presentation by Dr. Bob Richards, Genesis Organic Inc., 6 p.m., Holiday Inn.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

- Carbonear B Premier Brian Tobin will speak at a dinner, 6:30 p.m., Fong's Restaurant.

- Clarenville B Workshop: How to Access Government Funding, 9 a.m. to noon, Room 104, College of the North Atlantic.

- Hawke's Bay B Workshop entitled Funding Agencies and Program Criteria Information, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

- Mount Pearl B The Department of Development and Rural Renewal will participate in the October 26 and 27 Small Business Week trade show, Reid Community Centre.

- Stephenville B Workshop for youth (ages 18-29) on developing a business plan, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., W.E. Cormack Building.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

-  Argentia - On both Oct. 27 and 28 at the Argentia Building, two days of seminars, guest speakers, and an exhibition.  Events run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.  Seminars include those on developing a business plan, marketing plan, and sources of financing.

-  Carbonear B Showcase of services and guest speakers from the local business community, 2 - 6 p.m., Community Centre.

- Clarenville B Canadian Telework Day. Includes teleworking breakfast, College of the North Atlantic; Co-op workshop, The Clarenville Inn; launch of Telework Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; display by local businesses at Random Square Mall; Clarenville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, with guest speaker Lorne Janes, Alliance of Manufactures and Exporters Newfoundland.

- La Scie B Open House, Kin Centre, 7 p.m.

- St. Barbe B Workshop entitled funding Agencies and Program Criteria Information, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

- St. Alban's -- Open house, 5:30 p.m., Regional Resource Centre. At 7 p.m., Kirk Tilley, executive director of the Ireland Business Partnership, will speak, following which a wine and cheese reception will be held.

- St. John's B The Department of Development and Rural Renewal's Avalon Regional Office will host an open house, 2 - 4 p.m., Viking Building. Small business owners will attend. Some will have displays.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

- Carbonear B Trade show for business services and products, noon to 9:30 p.m., Trinity Conception Square.

- Deer Lake B Small Business Week reception and dinner, Driftwood Inn, 7 p.m., with keynote speaker Dwight Ball, a local entrepreneur. Development agencies will have display booths.

- Ferryland B Presentation by Sam Stack of Department of Development and Rural Renewal, 10 a.m., Southern Shore Folk Arts Council Arts Centre. The Getting the Message out presentation B an initiative of the federal and provincial governments B profiles Newfoundland and Labrador businesses.

- Gander B Gander Chamber of Commerce hosting luncheon, Albatross Hotel. Guest speaker will be Percy Farwell, chair of the Gander Economic Development Task Force.

- Port aux Basques B Beginning 5 p.m. at Hotel Port aux Basques, there will be information booths, followed by a dinner, Hotel Port aux Basques, with guest speaker Mike Bruce, Human Resources Development Canada. Dinner to be followed by Getting the Message Out presentation by Denise Murphy of the Department of Development and Rural Renewal. Getting the Message Out presentations -- an initiative of the federal and provincial governments -- will also be made in local high schools in the area throughout the week.

- Port Rexton B Seminar: Proposal Writing B The Winning Moves, 1-3 p.m., Fishers' Loft.

- Springdale B Open house at Town Hall, 7 p.m.

- Stephenville B The Investors Group will hold a Women in Business seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, W.E. Cormack Building. Revenue Canada will hold small business seminars, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., same building.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

- Carbonear B Information/training session, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Whiteway Recreation Centre. Will include displays by local entrepreneurs.

- Clarenville B "Networking With Us" social and presentation of 1999 Action I.T. Business Awards, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m., Department of Development and Renewal Building, Manitoba Drive. Display of products, foods, crafts and services made/available in the Discovery Regional Development Region. Virtual Teams presentation, 1 - 2 p.m., College of the North Atlantic.

- Stephenville B Marketing Sense - New Approaches to Marketing, 10-11 a.m., White's Hotel. Chamber of Commerce luncheon, noon, also at White's Hotel.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

- Ferryland B Business exhibition and sale, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Southern Shore Folk Arts Council Arts Centre.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications Director, (709) 729-4570.

1999 10 22                                                 1:50 p.m.