The Towns of Paradise and Placentia, and a not-for-profit group based on Bell Island, are using funds from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development's Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund (RSDF) to encourage local economic development opportunities.

The Town of Paradise is applying $10,000 from the fund towards a feasibility study, to be completed in conjunction with the Town of Conception Bay South, to determine the need for a public transit system to service the two towns. The Town of Placentia has been awarded $9,434 to proceed with the next phase of its town square development plan. Bell Island Guardians will receive $2,563 from the fund to assist with necessary upgrades to a culturally-significant building that currently houses three micro-businesses operated by individuals with developmental challenges and their job coaches.

"Our sense of community is part of what defines us as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. These projects demonstrate great community spirit and initiative. They are fine examples of what can be accomplished when we come together as a community, large or small, to examine possibilities and achieve common goals," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

The Town of Placentia is using $9,434 towards the development of design plans to guide the development of the Placentia Town Square Project, a three-phase initiative identified in the town's 2001 Townscape Development and Cultural Heritage District master plan. The Town of Placentia has been implementing parts of the plan since 2001, with a focus on growing its culture and tourism sectors. The RSDF funding is being applied towards the completion of a detailed, physical design that will guide the further development of the square, providing a sophisticated venue for cultural and historic events. Once completed, the town square initiative will provide a central point to promote the town's culture. It is anticipated that this initiative will encourage increased tourism and assist in growing the local economy.

"This new facelift will not just affect the Placentia town centre. The Town Square Project is only one facet of the entire Townscape Development and Cultural Heritage District Master Plan," said Bill Hogan, Mayor of Placentia. "The master plan, once complete, will be the culmination of years of planning and budgeting and will shape everything from Argentia to Cape St. Mary�s."

The Town of Paradise is receiving $10,000 for a feasibility study, to be carried out in partnership with the Town of Conception Bay South, to determine the probability of a business case to support a public transit system that would service both towns. These communities are experiencing rapid growth in residential, commercial and industrial development. Many residents commute to other areas for work such as Mount Pearl and St. John's. Data collected by the Town of Conception Bay South indicates that 76 per cent of its residents leave the area for work, and Paradise is considered the fastest growing community in Atlantic Canada. Establishing a public transit service could translate into new job creation, increased mobility of the work force, reduction of greenhouse emissions, potential linkage to small business creation and improved infrastructure. Also, an operational public transit system could also improve the ability of the towns to attract new commercial business.

"The Town of Paradise is quite pleased to receive support from the province to assist us and the Town of Conception Bay South conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a bussing system to service both towns," said Paradise Mayor Ralph Wiseman.

Bell Island Guardians is a group of concerned citizens who have joined together to improve the working conditions for people with developmental disabilities on Bell Island. The Town Surveyor and Records Office Building houses three not-for-profit micro-businesses which employ job coaches and members of the developmentally-disabled community. This building plays a vital role in the lives of those with developmental disabilities on Bell Island by providing a place to socialize with peers, a sense of purpose and direction, and a place to enjoy friendship and fellowship. The project will involve improvements to the culturally significant building, which is also one of the oldest structures on the small island, with the overall goal of providing safe working conditions for members of the developmentally challenged community. Upgrades will include a roof replacement, new flooring, wheelchair accessibility, and aesthetic enhancements to the exterior and interior of the building. The project is expected to take four months to complete.

"The Bell Island Guardians was established to protect the rights of mentally challenged adults in our community. Because of our programs, these adults now feel part of the community, instead of feeling shunned by it," said Margaret Bickford of the Bell Island Guardians. "Funding obtained to improve our main facility have made the building a more comfortable and special place to grow."

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 and diversification.

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Media contact:

Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
lynnevans@gov.nl.ca

2007 02 23                                                      9:40 a.m.