$208,600 in projects for Crab Worker Support Program announced

The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs today announced that the Crab Support Program has approved approximately 100 projects valued at $3.1 million since being announced in June 2005.

�This program has supported over 1,600 crab industry workers by providing opportunity to gain with much-needed employment,� stated Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. �It serves multiple purposes; to assist crab industry workers achieve the hours required, and to advance community projects which support beautification and infrastructure initiatives and will have lasting benefit for communities and residents in the province. We are pleased that the effort by government has been supported by workers, business and community organizations who have appreciated the support program put forth to provide employment assistance.�

New projects and increases to funding approved total $208,600, and include:

• $8,800 increase to Badger's Quay Cape Freels Development Association in support of various projects (total project value $14,500);
• $2,100 increase to Bay Bulls in support of construction of walking trail (total project value $85,100);
• $1,600 increase to Bay Roberts Heritage Society Inc. to enhance shoreline heritage walk (total project value $5,700);
• $5,100 increase to Birchy Bay to extend natural swimming area and scenic park (total project value $38,500);
• $2,100 increase to Black Tickle for community clean-up (total project value $115,700);
  $4,100 increase to Branch Recreation Committee to upgrade softball field and clean-up of cemetery (total project value $8,300);
• $2,100 to Bridgeport Fisherman's Committee to repair slipway (total project value $8,300);
  $15,000 increase to Brighton in support of walking bridge restoration (total project value $19,200);
• $6,200 to Brigus South Harbour Authority to upgrade and repair public wharf;
• $2,100 increase to Calvert Hall Committee to upgrade community centre (total project value $21,800);
• $1,600 to Carbonear for trail maintenance and general clean-up;
• $1,200 increase to Comfort Cove-Newstead in support of boardwalk, gazebo and Beothic caves (total project value $51,500);
• $3,100 increase to Deadman's Cove to assist with construction of access road to beach (total project value $7,300);
• $4,100 increase to Fermeuse in support of walking trail (total project value $17,100);
• $2,100 increase to Ferryland in support of lighthouse restoration and trail development (total project value $16,600);
• $8,300 to Ferryland Colony of Avalon Foundation for archaeology assistance and restoration and maintenance;
• $8,300 increase to Gaskiers-Point La Haye to upgrade local roads (total project value $51,900);
• $4,700 increase to Grates Cove Cabot Rock Heritage for fishing stages and cookhouse (total project value $15,100);
• $4,700 to Horwood for day park improvements;
• $1,000 increase to Lamaline for public infrastructure renovations (total project value $14,500);
• $6,200 increase to Lawn in support of soccer pitch and trail renovations (total project value $40,500);
• $27,000 increase to Little Bay Islands for town building maintenance and various projects (total project value $64,300);
• $3,600 to New Perlican Lower Trinity South Regional Development Association for museum, boardwalk and museum landscaping;
• $2,100 to Old Perlican for maintenance to community centre and recreation complex and museum;
• $2,100 increase to Pilley's Island in support of repairs to community buildings (total project value $37,300);
• $3,600 increase to Small Point-Broad Cove-Black Head-Adam's Cove in support of trail enhancement (total project support $26,400);
• $5,700 increase to South River in support of recreational and beautification infrastructure development (total project value $20,700);
• $37,300 to St. Lawrence to upgrade existing ATV and snowmobile trails;
• $7,300 increase to St. Mary's to upgrade local roads (total project value $55,000);
• $2,100 to St. Shott's Recreation Commission to paint the community centre;
• $3,100 increase to Trepassey Management Corporation to enhance municipal structure and road signage (total project value $30,400);
• $2,100 to Summerford for work on guide rails, fishermans buildings and boat haul (total project vale $16,100);
• $6,700 increase to Triton for maintenance of town building and various projects (total project value $139,200;
• $5,200 to Upper Island Cove Come Home Year Committee in support of playground construction;
• $6,200 increase to Western Bay North Shore Development Association for repairs to various community facilities (total project value $66,400).

The Crab Support Program was introduced as a one-time support initiative by government in June 2005 to help address employment shortfalls and assist the approximately 8,500 crab workers in the province negatively impacted by the late start of this years crab fishery. The province has allotted up to $18 million in support of the program which will focus on employment projects with a community infrastructure or economic development focus. The support program is being managed by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and works with non-profit community based organizations, municipal councils, service groups and government and development agencies as project sponsors and project managers. The rate of pay established for the program has been set at $8.50 per hour.

Further information on the Crab Support Program can be obtained by calling toll free 1-866-508-5500. Application information and program guidelines are posted on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website at //www.gov.nl.ca/mpa.

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

2005 09 23                               11:20 a.m.