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Innovation, Trade and Rural Development August 15, 2007 Alpaca Farm Will Produce Wool in Western Newfoundland A west coast businesswoman is establishing an alpaca petting farm and wool processing operation with a $48,000 term loan from the Provincial Government. Shelley Senior has purchased a 55-acre property in Cormack and plans to purchase and breed alpacas for sale at auctions in the United States while processing and selling their wool in Newfoundland and Labrador. She also has plans to establish a petting zoo and craft store on the property."Ms. Senior is creating a small business in a municipality that encourages diversified enterprises such as this as part of its strategic economic plan," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "In addition to producing high-quality wool, the business will also generate tourism traffic and has potential to create permanent and seasonal jobs." "Alpaca farming is relatively new to Newfoundland and Labrador but not unknown," said Ms. Senior. "There is at least one other farm here on the west coast in Port au Port and the animals are hardy and withstand our winters. I believe that in time alpaca farming could contribute to the economic development of our province, particularly in rural Newfoundland." Cormack is located close to the Viking Trail which attracts tourists traveling between Corner Brook and Gros Morne National Park. The farm will provide visitors with an opportunity to photograph and feed alpacas. A barn on the property will be used for shearing and manufacturing finished alpaca wool products. Alpaca wool sells for approximately $60 a kilogram. Alpacas, which come in many colours, resemble sheep but are larger and have a long erect neck. They are valued for their fleece used for making knitted and woven goods including blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, and textiles. Funding for the project is provided under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Fund which provides term loans and equity investments to small and medium-sized businesses in strategic growth sectors with special emphasis on value-added manufacturing, information technology, aquaculture, bio-technology, marine services, agrifoods and tourism, where local competitive impact is not an issue. The fund will also target businesses which have export potential and need assistance to enter or expand in external markets. -30- Media contact
2007 08 15 10:10 a.m.
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