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Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Premier Roger Grimes announced today that the Town of Botwood, in partnership with the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation, will receive $1,013,000 to implement phase II of the Coastal Tourism Initiative. A contribution of $698,000 will be provided under the Canada-Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement, and a further $315,000 will be provided through the Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement "The development of our province�s growing tourism industry requires a strong and focussed promotional effort to augment our investments in infrastructure and top notch attractions," said Minister Byrne. "ACOA has taken the lead in Atlantic Canada by working with all four Atlantic provinces to market our region to world. ACOA has supported the provincial tourism marketing campaign budgets by $4 million this year as part of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership. But we also understand that while pan-Atlantic and provincial marketing campaigns are important to our efforts to attract more tourists, so too are local and regional initiatives. That is why I am very proud to announce with Premier Grimes this investment of $1 million to the Coastal Tourism Initiative. Congratulations to all the partners involved in this timely initiative." The Coastal Tourism Initiative is a long-term plan to develop the cultural and natural resources of the coastal area of the Exploits Valley. Funding for Phase II of the Initiative will be used to upgrade Oceanview Park in Leading Tickles; enhance the Giant Squid Interpretation Site in Glover�s Harbour; improve parking facilities for a hiking trail in Fortune Harbour; make improvements to the Botwood small craft basin, upgrade a nature trail in Point Leamington and extend a walking trail in Norris Arm. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to support phase II of the Coastal Tourism Initiative. The Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation identified tourism as a key strategic growth opportunity for this region and it continues to target this industry in an effort to create new wealth and employment," said Premier Roger Grimes. "Our Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth Strategy makes a commitment to focus investments from federal-provincial cost-shared economic development agreements toward priorities identified by the regional economic development boards. This initiative is one way we are doing that." The mayors of six communities signed a memorandum of understanding during today�s ceremony, furthering their commitment to continued cooperation. "We were very pleased with the progress we made during Phase I of the initiative and we�re happy to starting work on the next phase," said EVEDC chair, Gerald Thompson. "All of the communities in this region are working together, because we will all benefit in the long run. We�re certainly pleased that the federal and provincial governments are assisting in the Coastal Tourism Initiative." The Canada-Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development is a six-year, $94.99 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial programs and agreements; it is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. Under the Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA), HRDC and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador provide assistance through Local Labour Market Partnerships (LLMPs). LLMPs support community partnerships that develop practical strategies to improve a community�s human resource requirements, thereby enhancing the potential for economic success. This program is one of the Employment Benefits and Support Measures offered under the LMDA. Media contact:
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