Minister announces $150,000 grant for Town of Lewisporte

Jim Walsh, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, today announced a grant of $150,000 for the Town of Lewisporte to further repairs to provincial marine facilities in the area.

"This project is a direct result of the efforts of the Town of Lewisporte and the Lewisporte Chamber of Commerce," said Minister Walsh. "They came to me with a plan to repair the facilities and to employ laid off workers from the marine facilities while doing so. Their plan was a sound one that would ensure short-term local employment during the length of project, while improving the facilities to make them more attractive for long-term development by potential private business interests. I am pleased to see another excellent example of the industriousness of our rural communities and their dedication to making the best use of local resources."

The minister has asked officials from the Department of Works, Services and Transportation to meet with the Town of Lewisporte to define the work required on the facilities and to determine a start and completion date for the project.

"Once the meetings with my officials have concluded, I anticipate the town will go straight to work on the repairs," said Minister Walsh. "Again, I must reiterate how pleased I am to have participated in this process. This grant will generate future employment and development opportunities that would never have been realized without the ingenuity of the people of Lewisporte. I congratulate them on their effort and wish them great success in the future."

Bill Hooper, Mayor of Lewisporte, said that today�s announcement was wonderful news."This process has been ongoing throughout the summer and I am excited and pleased to see it come to a successful conclusion. We are anxious to get going and get this work done, and I�m certain the workers on the dock will also be pleased to hear they can finally get started. I would like to thank the minister and his staff; we have had many meetings with them over the summer, and they have always been very helpful and accommodating. We would not be moving forward today without their co-operation and willingness to listen."

"The Lewisporte and Area Chamber of Commerce is tremendously pleased with the minister�s response to our proposal," said Reverend Art Elliot, Chamber of Commerce President. "This grant will enable the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Lewisporte to continue the work on the dock and ensure the docking facilities are well prepared for any future shipping the port can attract. Having this work completed will do a great deal to help with future economic development in the town and surrounding area."

"Minister Walsh has once again come through on his promise to Lewisporte and, more importantly, to the dock workers who lost their jobs due to the reduction in the coastal Labrador marine service," said Gordon Butt, Economic Development Officer for Lewisporte. "This proposal will see all the displaced workers return to work and carry out much needed repairs, maintenance and upgrades to the marine facility. This work will directly benefit our local economy.

"I view this as an investment in the future of the Town of Lewisporte and our marine facility. The Chamber of Commerce and Town of Lewisporte have a solid plan, one that will see further development of our marine facilities and ensure that Lewisporte remains the Gateway to the North. Minister Walsh should be commended for his effort in honoring the Chamber�s proposal and the many other initiatives that we have partnered on."

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015

2003 09 19                                         10:50 a.m.