News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

NLIS 3
October 19, 2000
(Development and Rural Renewal)

 

Nothing small about small business, said Minister McLean

There�s nothing small about the significant contribution the small business community makes to creating a stronger and better Newfoundland and Labrador, said Ernie McLean, acting Minister of Development and Rural Renewal. 

"Small business is a major driving force of our economy, in all regions of the province," Mr. McLean said.

"Small businesses have created more than 80 per cent of the new jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador since the 1980s. There�s nothing small about that. Small businesses account for one-third of all employment in this province. There�s nothing small about that." 

The week of October 23 has been designated Small Business Week, a national annual program organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

In recognition of the special week, Minister McLean paid tribute to all entrepreneurs "whose vision, determination and skills are changing the landscape of our economy. From right here at home, they are finding their way in the global marketplace in traditional sectors such as the fishery, in maturing sectors such as tourism, and in emerging sectors such as information technology."

"From Nain to Cottle�s Island to Ramea and Trepassey and other communities right around our province, we have an army of business owners who are clear proof that we have an entrepreneurial culture that is generating economic growth and employment," he said.

The minister said goods and services provided by small businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are each year reaching more and more international markets.

"Our entrepreneurs are supplying highly prized dimension stone to Europe and Asia. They�re building an entire community in Chile from prefabricated homes made here. They� re cleaning up oil spills in Australia with a unique peat-based product made here. They�re making work gloves for Canada�s military. And they have private technology on the orbiting space station," Mr. McLean said.

"They�re making their own way, right here at home, in small and large communities. They are leading the way nationally and internationally, and are a source of growing confidence in our province."

The Department of Development and Rural Renewal offers services and programs to encourage the growth of small and medium sized businesses. Services include general business advice and counseling on starting a business or dealing with particular business challenges that can confront a firm. Programs include a $2 million Small Business Seed Capital Equity Program and a $500,000 Small Business Market Development Program, both of which were developed as a result of recommendations government received during its public consultations on a renewal strategy for jobs and growth.

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

2000 10 19 4:35 p.m. 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement