Town of Englee receives $251,200 in Community Enhancement Program Support

Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, along with Trevor Taylor, MHA for The Straits and White Bay North and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced that the Town of Englee has received approval for projects under the provinces $4.25 million dollar Community Enhancement Program.

"We remain committed to supporting projects which will positively impact communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, not only immediately, but ones which will have a lasting legacy for future generations," stated Minister Byrne. �This program has generated much success and established meaningful work projects, which benefit the province and provide support for improvements to community infrastructure and projects that directly benefit residents of the province. The projects for the Town of Englee will support 70 workers and will enhance various facilities, and improve safety to buildings, sites and roads in the community.�

Projects approved for the Town of Englee total $251,200 and include $121,400 for landscaping to town properties which include the municipal building, fire hall, recreational facilities and war memorial site; $49,300 in support of municipal building renovations, including council chambers and washroom facilities; $31,100 to construct a 200-foot windbreak to better protect community infrastructure, and $49,300 for brush cutting and clean-up of landscaping along highways to improve road safety.

"The funding of these projects demonstrates government's commitment to the people of Englee," said Minister Taylor. �The projects provide much needed employment, while also improving infrastructure in the town. The Community Enhancement Program is an important initiative for our rural communities struggling to identify and develop long-term economic opportunities for the future.�

The Community Enhancement Program is a targeted employment creation program focused on creating employment initiatives for eligible recipients. Eligible projects ideally provide an enduring benefit to the communities, are consistent with government's economic development strategy for the region and are labour intensive initiatives which maximize the employment creation element of the program.

Application information and program guidelines are available on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website at //www.gov.nl.ca/mpa or may be obtained by calling the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs at 1-866-508-5500, or by contacting area MHAs at their constituency offices. The deadline for submission was August 31, 2005 and all projects must be completed by March 31, 2006.

"The Community Enhancement Program supports government's commitment to strengthen services, and the development of communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The early start of this years program has enabled project submission, approvals and start-up much earlier than in previous years which has generated strong interest and support from those who benefit from this initiative," added Minister Byrne.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Communications (709) 729-1983, 690-2498 or heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

2005 09 13                                    1:20 p.m.