Community Enhancement Program approves $200,200 in funding for districts of
Twillingate and Fogo, Port de Grave, Carbonear-Harbour Grace and Bay of Islands

Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, today announced an investment of $200,200 in support of projects which will benefit communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Funding has been approved under the provinces $6 million Community Enhancement Program.

�The Community Enhancement Program is a direct investment in people and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,� stated Minister Byrne. �Funding has been distributed in a fair and responsible manner so that we can support many of the employment shortfalls which exist this year. We are carefully working within our mandate to help communities gain access to funding support for sustainable projects. While we cannot fund every request, we are distributing financial support with a focus on enhancing and developing community, recreational, and tourism infrastructure to positively impact communities now and into the future. The projects announced today represent quality proposals which will add valuable upgrades to clubs, parishes, and exterior maintenance in communities.�

Proposals approved for the District of Twillingate and Fogo value $10,000 and include:

• $5,000 to the Local Service District of Bridgeport for clean up of community and brush cutting;
• $5,000 to the Town of Seldom-Little Seldom for roof repairs to the town hall.

Proposals approved for the District of Port de Grave value $55,400 and include:

• $4,500 to the Goodwill Senior Citizens Club for club renovations;
• $4,000 to the Anglican Parish of Upper Island Cove for renovations to parish and rectory;
• $5,000 to the Avalon North Wolverines Ground Search and Rescue to improve train car tourism centre;
• $7,200 to the Bay Roberts Recreation Commission to construct walking trail;
• $4,500 to St. Andrew's Club in support of kitchen renovations;
• $4,500 to the Town of Spaniards Bay for tree trimming;
• $5,000 to Shearstown Lions Club to upgrade club interior;
• $2,200 to the Harbour Authority of Spaniards Bay/Tilton for signage installation, seating and maintenance;
• $4,500 to the Society of United Fishermen, Dawe Lodge #82 for general repairs and wheel chair ramp;
• $4,500 for St. John the Evangelist Church Hall for landscaping and fencing;
• $4,500 to the Central United Church to upgrade cemetery and Christian education centre;
• $5,000 to No Surrender L.O.L #15 for lodge renovations.

Proposals approved for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace total $130,000 include:

• $49,000 to Camp McCarthy, Knights of Columbus for maintenance to chalet and trail construction;
• $30,000 to the Town of Victoria for various community projects;
• $24,000 to Blueberry Growers Association to upgrade blueberry trails;
• $27,000 to the Harbour Grace Tourism to create park at Admirals Marina.

Proposals approved for the District of Bay of Islands total $4,800:

• $4,800 to the Town of Irishtown-Summerside for community centre renovations.

Additional information on the Community Enhancement Program can be found on //www.gov.nl.ca/mpa/enhancement/.

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

2005 11 15                                  9:55 a.m.