Corner Brook Region Benefits from Job Creation Partnership Funding

Two organizations in the Corner Brook region will benefit from over $77,000 in Provincial Government funding through the Job Creation Partnership program, which is designed to address local and regional priority needs by working with community organizations and municipal governments.

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, made the announcement today at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club in Corner Brook, along with Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West, and Terry Loder, MHA for the Bay of Islands.

“Job Creation Partnership projects are a strong example of how our government supports organizations that wish to undertake initiatives focusing on local and regional needs,” said Minister King. “These specific projects not only help stimulate economic activity, but also promote tourism, provide employment and, in the case of Dunfield Park Community Centre, provide young people with program resource educators who work as part of a team in developing and implementing services to youth in that area. We are very proud of these projects and look forward to their completion.”

Dunfield Park Community Centre will receive $25,210 to support the employment of three individuals as program resource educators. These individuals will work as part of a team in developing and implementing homework haven services for the Dunfield Park Youth Centre, as well as outreach to the Farmdale Road and Carter Avenue sites.

The Bay of Islands Yacht Club will receive a total of $52,526, including $23,323 through the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, to employ six individuals to repair and build docks at Woods Island Harbour. The upgraded docks and cribbing will provide a safe walking surface for boaters and guests. The project will also incorporate the construction of a series of floating docks.

“Not only are these projects essential to the region as a whole, they are providing jobs for nine individuals to support local tourism efforts as well as support the young people of our region in achieving a solid education,” said MHA Terry Loder. “The Provincial Government clearly understands the significance of these projects to the organizations that receive the funding and the important economic benefit they provide to residents in communities throughout the province.”

“I am thoroughly pleased by the announcement today of over $70,000 in support of two very important organizations in the Corner Brook region, especially funding for Dunfield Park Community Centre which provides an extremely valuable service to our young people,” said MHA Vaughn Granter. “As one of the newest members of the provincial legislature, I’ve come to realize very quickly how many important projects and initiatives have been delivered through the Job Creation Partnership program. I look forward to the benefits of these projects being felt for months and years to come.”

In November 2009, responsibility for Labour Market Development Agreement programs and services, including the Job Creation Partnership program, transferred from the Federal Government to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Since that time, the Provincial Government has delivered approximately 475 projects with a total value of nearly $22 million, providing employment for over 2,250 individuals.

Examples of potential partnership initiatives include maintenance and repairs to community infrastructure, such as town halls and churches, the beautification of public areas, and funding to support local events. In addition to in-kind or in-cash contributions from sponsors, Job Creation Partnership program funding is provided through direct contributions to sponsors or through the extension of Employment Insurance benefits for project participants.

For more information on the Labour Market Development Agreement, including Job Creation Partnerships, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/lmda.

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2011 05 02                                                                               2:40 p.m.