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NLIS 2
January 23, 2001
(Development and Rural Renewal)

 

South Coast communities get connected

Communities along the South Coast of Newfoundland will become more technologically savvy thanks to the efforts of the Burgeo Broadcasting System (BBS). The BBS, through the assistance of the federal and provincial governments and various community partners, will improve the information technology capabilities in the communities of Burgeo, Ramea, Francois, Grand Bruit, and Grey River.

The announcement was made today by Bill Matthews, MP for Burin-St. George�s, on behalf of the Government of Canada; and Kelvin Parsons, Minister of Justice and MHA for Burgeo and Lapoile, on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The economy of these communities was devastated by the collapse of the cod fishery," said Minister Parsons. "This initiative will help provide new economic options by bringing Internet access to every business in the five communities. It will also enable residents to receive training and increased skills in a range of economic and business sectors."

The BBS is receiving $600,810 from the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC); and $160,000 from Human Resources Development Canada. Other partners in the project include: St. John�s Central High; the Communications Technology Education Centre; Health and Community Services, Western; Cormack Trail School Board; Western Health Care Corporation; the Department of Education; and the Department of Human Resources and Employment.

"Burgeo has already been a provincial leader in information and communications technology (ICT) with its not-for-profit community cable company, the Burgeo Broadcasting System," said Mr. Matthews. "These advancements will create new choices for the area and will help the communities move away from a dependence on resource-based industries and towards the knowledge-based economy. The partnership formed to make the improvements to this region�s IT infrastructure is a model for others to follow."

This project builds upon the strengths of the BBS and integrates BBS cable technology with satellite wireless networking. Through this project, the BBS will install Internet access lines in every business in the five communities, market the area on the Internet as a choice tourism destination, integrate and build upon existing Internet sites, develop an awareness of the opportunities IT can provide using local broadcasting developed at the BBS, and host training sessions focused on increasing skills in the prospective business community.

"Inter-connectivity through modern multi-media technology should prove to be very beneficial to our communities," said Dr. Barbara Barter, chair of the project implementation committee. "It will bring more chances for dialogue, a sharing of ideas, an enhancement in health and education services, and an opportunity to effect increased local labour market development. The committee, in partnership with local, district and government partners, is delighted that we have been given the opportunity to take up the challenge of making our communities more viable and self reliant."

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry.

It is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Media contact:


Doug Burgess, ACOA (709) 772-2945
Clifford Grinling, DDRR (709) 729-7066
Larry Peckford, HRDC (709) 643-8106
Dr. Barbara Barter, BBS (709) 886-2675

 

2001 01 23                           4:25 p.m.



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