The Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced today that the Provincial Government will begin accepting applications for the 2007-08 Community Enhancement Employment Program (CEEP), effective immediately. Deadline for applications is August 31, 2007.

The $4 million Community Enhancement Employment Program is a provincially-funded, targeted employment program focused on creating short-term employment for eligible participants. Employment is provided through projects that provide an enduring benefit to communities. These projects focus on the following key areas: public health and safety; economic development; community infrastructure; and beautification. The program uses a community-based, sponsor delivery model. Typically, sponsors would include community- based agencies, service groups, churches, municipal councils, local service district committees, development associations, women�s institutes and heritage groups.

"This program provides necessary employment opportunities to individuals in communities where a need has been identified," said Minister Byrne. "Last year we made several changes that would improve our efforts to meet the challenge of employment support and economic development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and we will continue to pursue a similar direction this year."

The Community Enhancement Employment Program supports projects that maximize employment creation and focus on providing long-term benefits to communities. Projects should support economic development strategies for the region.

Examples include projects related to municipal infrastructure, tourism initiatives, community health and wellness programs, facilitating the active participation of seniors in their communities, cultural or natural heritage, arts and crafts development, restoration of heritage sites, environmental improvements, aquaculture infrastructure, agrifoods infrastructure, and other labour-intensive initiatives.

"The Provincial Government continues to support efforts that enhance public health and safety, economic development, and community infrastructure. We feel this program will deliver on these identified needs effectively for 2007 and 2008," added Minister Byrne.

Applications and complete program guidelines can be found at //www.gov.nl.ca/mpa/cep/  or may be obtained by calling the Department of Municipal Affairs at 1-866-508-5500, or by contacting area MHAs at their constituency offices.

-30-

Media contact:

Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca 

2007 07 13                                                       1:00 p.m.