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Innovation, Trade and Rural Development August 20, 2007 Southern Shore Non-Profit Groups Receive Funding for Tourism-Related Initiatives Four community groups on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula have received $166,396 from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development through the Regional/ Sectoral Diversification Fund to help develop four community projects. "The Southern Shore is a popular destination for tourists wishing to explore the Avalon Peninsula," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "These projects will help improve their experience in our province. I commend the legions of volunteers who work selflessly to help promote and enhance their communities and I am pleased that my department is able to assist them." The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is providing $74,590 to the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council as part of a $345,000 project to renovate the warehouse section of the Bernard Kavanagh premises in Ferryland. The building houses the arts council�s offices and a dinner theater and will be expanded to house a regional arts centre. The renovations will increase the capacity of the dinner theater and offer a new venue to local artisans, craftspeople and performers. It is expected to increase activities, draw new visitors, and lead to a demand for greater hospitality services in the area.The Southern Shore Arena Association has received $73,981 to assist in the redevelopment of a multipurpose regional facility at Mobile. The $560,000 project includes upgrades to meeting rooms to accommodate conferences, enhanced accessibility, a new sound system, enhanced lighting, staging, seating and storage together with improvements to the exterior of the building and grounds. These refurbishments will allow for year-round use of the arena for conferences, exhibitions and special events and will complement the region�s tourism sector. Tour de Shore Inc. has received $10,800 to help organize the second annual Tour de Shore Bicycle Race which will run September 1-2. Tour de Shore Inc., a non-profit group, is organizing the race, mapping the course, training marshals and marketing the event to promote the Irish Loop zone. The objective is to develop a world-class bicycling event that will attract local and international cyclists to participate in professional and amateur races and bring enthusiasts to the province. The event will provide opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors for inns, restaurants, craft shops, tour operators and tourism sites, such as the Colony of Avalon, which are expected to benefit from the race. The Irish Loop Chamber of Commerce has received $7,025 to help develop an Irish Loop ambassador program and an Irish Loop shop local program. The ambassador program will see the development of an inventory of former residents which will be used for marketing, promotional and investment attraction purposes. The shop local program will encourage consumers to support local businesses. "The Southern Shore has always been rich in history, culture and entertainment, and active in the sporting community. These new initiatives will enhance the services we can provide in the rural communities of the Southern Shore," said Keith Hutchings, MHA for the District of Ferryland. 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. -30- Media contact: Scott Barfoot 2007 08 20 11:35 a.m. |
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