Finalists for Community Economic Development Awards announced

Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk today announced the15 finalists for government's first Community Economic Development Awards. The finalists were selected from more than 80 nominations received.

There are three finalists for each of the five awards. The winners will be announced October 26 during RuralEXPO 2001 to be held in Gander.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

For the Excellence in Partnership award:
�      Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
�      Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities
�      Nordic Economic Development Board (top of Northern Peninsula)
This award recognizes exceptional efforts and achievements of organizations working to achieve positive results in community economic development.

For the Outstanding Individual Achievement award:
�      Charlie Ennis, Baie Verte
�      Wilf Sutton and Tom Sutton (co-nominees), Trepassey
�      Regina Warren, Corner Brook
This award recognizes the distinguished contribution of an individual to community economic development.

For the Excellence in Fostering Entrepreneurship award:
�      Junior Achievement � Newfoundland and Labrador
�      NLOWE � Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs
�      Brian Vardy, St. John's
This award recognizes an organization's or an individual's distinguished effort to promote, mentor, and/or foster entrepreneurship at the community level.

For the Innovation in Education award:
�      Random North Development Association
�      REDAS � Regional Economic Development and Schools
�      Mariner Resource Opportunities Network (Conception Bay North area)
This award recognizes exceptional efforts and achievements of an individual or group in bringing together education and community economic development programs and activities for the betterment of their communities.

For the Excellence in Youth Leadership award:
�      Emerald Zone Youth Council (Baie Verte Peninsula area)
�      Vicki Hedderson, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
�      Michelle Snow, Clarke's Beach (now residing in St. John's)
This award recognizes a young person or youth group that has demonstrated exceptional initiative, visibility, leadership and success in engaging youth in community economic development.

The more than 80 nominations received for the awards were reviewed by an eight-member awards committee comprised of four representatives drawn from the regional economic development boards, and one representative each from the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives, FINALY! (Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth), and the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

"I am very impressed with the strong response to the call for nominations for our first awards. Our province is very fortunate to have legions of individuals and organizations who play very active and productive roles in economic development at the community level. For every nomination received, there are scores of others who also selflessly dedicate countless time and effort to this work. In that regard, they are all winners," Minister. Tulk said.

In addition to the CED awards ceremony, there are three other major components for RuralEXPO 2001:

�	A conference program that will focus on approaches and practices for community and business
	development that work best in rural Newfoundland and Labrador;
�	A rural business exhibition that will showcase successful rural businesses and community
	economic development organizations from around the province;
�	And, a youth forum that will allow youth to be heard, and for them to learn from business and
	community leaders from around the province.