Finalists for 2002 Community Economic Development Awards Announced

Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kelvin Parsons today announced the15 finalists for the second annual Community Economic Development Awards. The finalists were selected from almost 90 nominations received.

There are three finalists for each of five awards. The winners will be announced on the evening of October 19, 2002 during the Community Economic Development Awards gala banquet to be held in Port aux Basques. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented at the gala event. The purpose of the Community Economic Development Awards program is to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and organizations who have excelled as leaders in community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

For the Excellence in Partnership Award:

• Community Career Centre, St. John�s
• Eagle River Credit Union, Labrador
• Gambo-Indian Bay Development Association

This award recognizes exceptional efforts and achievements of organizations working together to achieve positive results in community economic development.

For the Outstanding Individual Achievement Award:

• Mr. Charlie Ennis, Baie Verte
• Mr. Todd Kent, Labrador City
• Mr. Mike Wadden, St. John�s

This award recognizes the distinguished contribution of an individual to community economic

development.

For the Excellence in Fostering Entrepreneurship Award:

• Exploits Valley Business Retention and Expansion Pilot Project
• The Genesis Centre, St. John�s
• Junior Achievement � Newfoundland and Labrador

This award recognizes the distinguished efforts of an organization or an individual in promoting, mentoring and/or fostering entrepreneurship at the community level.

For the Innovation in Education Award:

• Brother TI Murphy Centre, St. John�s
• Labrador West Centre for Interactive Learning, Labrador City
• REDAS � Regional Economic Development and Schools

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:

• Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador�s Youth (FINALY!)
• Mr. Justin Miles, St. Teresa�s
• Community Services Council Volunteer Centre, 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.

A new award category, Lifetime Achievement, was added to the program this year. This award recognizes an individual or organization whose work has made a lasting contribution to the economic development of a community or whose work over an extended period has consistently empowered people to foster economic growth at the community level. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented this year.

Eighty-nine nominations received for the awards were reviewed by an awards committee comprising 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), the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization for Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE), the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations, the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, the Newfoundland and Labrador Rural Development Council and the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

"I am very impressed with the strong response to the call for nominations for our second annual awards. There are good things happening all around our province thanks to the efforts of 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 their communities. In that regard, they are all winners," Minister Parsons said.

Media Contact: Tracy Kenney, Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development (709) 729-2257

2002 10 15                                       12:25 p.m.