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Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
September 22, 2010

Museum Identified as Economic Development Tool

Utilizing the area's historical significance to strengthen the local economy, the Town of Carbonear is using a $58,000 contribution from the Provincial Government to expand its Railway Station Museum. With the expansion, the museum will introduce a new exhibit that celebrates the historical significance of Carbonear Island.

"Museum developments hold considerable potential in the social and economic development of the province's communities and regions," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "In addition to celebrating our province's history, museums can, and do, translate into new economic development opportunities. They provide direct employment at the museum itself while also holding indirect opportunities for local businesses to meet the needs of museum visitors."

Carbonear Island played a key role in the French-English battles in the 1600s. Expansion of the Railway Station Museum to develop the island's story into a tourism attraction on the Baccalieu Trail was outlined in the Town of Carbonear and Mariner Resource Opportunities Network's joint 2004 Carbonear Island Development Strategy.

"The Town of Carbonear, with the assistance of its partners, is pleased to be undertaking renovations of the Carbonear Railway Museum," said Sam Slade, Mayor, Town of Carbonear. "Set in the community's heritage district, the 93-year-old building has long been a focal point for tourists and locals seeking information on history, genealogy, and research. This new exhibit is another example of one of the diverse cultural elements that make up the considerable heritage and cultural resources of the town, which will be preserved for future generations to enjoy."

Scheduled to open in April 2011, the new exhibit will include text writing, photography, and interpretive panels. In addition to the expansion, funding will also be directed towards site improvements and greater accessibility to the entire facility.

"The Town of Carbonear is an area with a rich and colourful history," said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA, Carbonear-Harbour Grace. "Expansion of the Railway Station Museum will help tell the story of the area's past while further enhancing the local tourism infrastructure offering positive benefits for the area as a whole."

Carbonear Island was a defensive refuge for settlers of Carbonear and Harbour Grace in times of invasion. Most significantly known for the raids by French General Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville in which he attempted to rid the entire colony of Newfoundland of English influence, Carbonear Island was the only settlement on the Avalon Peninsula to withstand d'Iberville's attack.

This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund, which through Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future was increased to an $11 million program. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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Media contacts:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca

Janice Green
Town of Carbonear
709-596-3831

Bill Dooley
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Jerome Kennedy, MHA, Carbonear-Harbour Grace
709-729-0425
BillDooley@gov.nl.ca

 

2010 09 22                                                     10:25 a.m.

 


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