Winter trail grooming grants for Labrador awarded Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, along with Trevor Taylor, Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, today announced the awarding of several winter trail grooming grants for communities and development associations in Labrador valued at $240,000. Minister Rideout said:
"For many communities in Labrador, the primary mode of
transportation in winter is snowmobile trails. Our government is
committed to the people of Labrador and cognizant of the need for and
importance of snowmobile trails, both for the use of local residents
and for the development of adventure tourism in the region.
"I am pleased to
announce the awarding of these grants to development associations and
communities for the maintenance of local trails."
The Battle Harbour
Development Association, which maintains trails connecting St. Lewis,
Mary�s Harbour and Lodge Bay, will be awarded a grant for $45,000.
This represents a $25,000 increase from last year and this increase
will help cover the cost of maintaining a link between the southeast
coast and Straits as necessary.
The towns of Rigolet,
Postville and Makkovik will each receive $38,000 for winter trail
grooming. These grants represent an increase of $3,000 over the
previous year.
The Town of Hopedale will
be awarded a grant of $15,000. This is the first time that the Town of
Hopedale has been in receipt of a grant.
The White Bear Development
Association, which maintains trails connecting the communities of Port
Hope Simpson, Charlottetown, Williams Harbour, Norman�s Bay and
Pinsent�s Arm, will be awarded a grant for $21,000. The White Bear
Development Association did not receive a grant for snowmobile trails
last year.
The Eagle River
Development Association will be awarded a grant of $45,000. The Eagle
River Development Association maintains trails connecting Cartwright,
Paradise River and Black Tickle.
"These grants will
ensure access to a viable method of transportation between communities
in Labrador. Our government is committed to meeting the needs of the
people of the province and this includes ensuring they have access to
viable and safe transportation links," said Minister Rideout.
"Our government
continues to look at transportation infrastructure strategically
through our ongoing development of an infrastructure strategy which
will benefit all residents of the province," continued the
minister.
"Our government is
taking pragmatic measures to grow the economy and create jobs. The
continued development of Labrador is an important part of our
plan," added Trevor Taylor, Minister responsible for Labrador
Affairs.
The grants will be paid in
installments, with 50 per cent being paid this month and the remainder
in monthly installments between January and March 2005.
Media contacts:
2004 12 21 11:35 a.m. |
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