Government accepting applications for 2005-06 community enhancement program

Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, announced today that government is now accepting applications for the 2005-06 Community Enhancement Program. The $4.25 million program was announced in Budget 2005.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to rural development and strengthening the economic development strategy to support projects which have a lasting legacy within communities," stated Minister Byrne. "The Community Enhancement Program represents a significant change in how government offers assistance to unemployed or underemployed individuals in this province. The program helps facilitate pre-planning of projects, and provides for more orderly delivery to take advantage of weather and construction seasons."

Government departments and agencies will be able to bring forward project ideas and proposals to be delivered in partnership with local sponsoring agents. By facilitating development of worthwhile projects, government will work with sponsoring agents to advance economic development opportunities by combining various ideas and resources. There is also an opportunity to seek other funding sources to cost-share on projects.

Another important element of the program is an appeal mechanism for extenuating circumstances, as well as support system to aid in future development of proposals. "If a project sponsor is turned down, the applicant can be coached on the weaknesses of their proposal so that they will have the ability to identify and develop worthwhile project proposals in the future, " added Minister Byrne.
An inter-departmental committee including the departments of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, Innovation Trade and Rural Development, Tourism Culture and Recreation, Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Forestry and Agrifoods and the Rural Secretariat will be responsible for evaluating project proposals and selecting the highest quality projects from the proposals received. The deadline for submission is August 31, 2005 and all projects must be completed by March 31, 2006.

Applications are available here or may be obtained by calling the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs at (709) 729-5400, or by contacting area MHAs at their constituency offices.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498

2005 06 28                                     3:55 p.m.