Provincial government invests in tourism infrastructure

Three initiatives have received a total of almost $100,000 in provincial government support to improve tourism infrastructure in central Newfoundland. D&A Enterprises Incorporated of Grand Falls-Windsor received funding from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development�s Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Fund. The Glovertown Yacht Club and the Town of Twillingate received support from the department�s Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund (RSDF).

�The tourism industry is an important component of local economies throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Trevor Taylor. �Government recognizes the potential for further growth in this industry.
In order to continue to attract tourists to our province, we must continue to provide high-quality tourism infrastructure and services which is why government is supporting these projects.�

"This strategic investment in tourism will no doubt encourage more visitors to central Newfoundland which will result in more business for tourism operators and more employment opportunities for local residents," added Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "These are exciting initiatives that will not only improve the visitor experience, but promote community pride in the region."

D&A Enterprises Incorporated, which operates Beothuck Family Recreational Vehicle Park, was awarded a repayable contribution of $34,020 from the SME Fund to upgrade 23 non-serviced camping sites. The upgraded sites will provide services for traveling recreational vehicle owners visiting the central region. With the assistance of this funding and the additional sites, camp revenues are expected to increase.

Glovertown Yacht Club used $15,000 in funding to conduct a feasibility study to attract international, national, provincial and regional boaters, and to encourage a coordinated approach with other marinas to market Atlantic Canada as a prime boating destination. The study concentrated on the development of a marina as a significant piece of new marine infrastructure for the town, as well as having the potential for economic development for both the community and the region. A marina would further add to the area�s attractions, enhancing the tourism experience for visitors.

The Town of Twillingate will apply $50,000 toward a number of major recommendations contained in the 2003 Twillingate Islands Tourism Master Plan. Part of the funding has been used to enhance several tourism attractions throughout the area such as rest stops, lighting and lookouts for the harbour front, as well as upgrades to the marina�s decking, parking lot and surrounding landscape. Eleven floating docks will soon be completed and will cater to non-residential recreational boaters visiting the area. The town�s 15-mile coastal trail system is also being upgraded to include signage, bridges and grooming. Other enhancements include the beautification of the town�s entrance, upgrades to the town�s depot and restoration of some of the older parts of the community, including cemeteries. Finally, the Bevington Pipe Organ, one of only eight in existence in North America, will be restored and in use once again at the community�s Northeast Church Museum, complementing the town�s heritage and cultural appeal.

The Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund is a $5 million fund of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and a component of the province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy. The fund provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development, diversification and innovation.

The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development�s Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Fund provides term loans and equity investments to small and medium-sized businesses in strategic growth sectors and is a component of the province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy. Special emphasis is placed on value-added manufacturing, information technology, aquaculture, bio-technology, marine services, agrifoods and tourism, where local competitive impact is not an issue. The fund also targets businesses which have export potential and need assistance to enter or expand in external markets.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570, (709) 690-6290

2006 09 01                              10:35 a.m.