Minister Responds to Misleading Statements in the House

In response to inaccurate and misleading statements made in the House of Assembly today by the third party about government’s commitment to rural regions, the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, pointed to the fact that the Provincial Government continues to advance and invest in initiatives that strengthen rural regions through its business and economic development programs.

“There are many supports offered by the Provincial Government which target business and community development in all regions and communities,” said Minister Hutchings. “We have 22 regional and field offices throughout the province with services and programs to support business clients and community organizations. For example, the Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund has contributed $43 million to more than 700 projects, totalling $211 million since 2005. This program has often been a catalyst to building partnerships amongst community-based economic development organizations and stakeholders throughout the province.”

The Provincial Government also offers the Workplace Skills Enhancement Program, which provides funding for businesses in strategic sectors for the purpose of training employees to improve productivity and global competitiveness. In just over three years, over $7.1 million has been invested in this program, which has leveraged an additional $4.5 million, to support the skill development of approximately 2,230 people from over 265 businesses and organizations.

In addition, the Provincial Government offers the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Fund which, combined with other SME supports for businesses throughout the province, have averaged over $5 million since 2005.

Economic development requires a collective effort and Innovation, Business and Rural Development is a committed partner in this process. This is demonstrated regularly by the Provincial Government in its working relationships with municipalities, Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives, Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, among many others.

“We recognize the economic development landscape is changing,” said Minister Hutchings. “However, we continue to create the environment for businesses and communities to move forward. These investments in business and community development, investment in people through skills development, continued investment in broadband to reach more communities, as well as other infrastructure has contributed to all regions including the Great Northern Peninsula.”

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Media contact:
Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 631-8155
dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

2013 03 12                5:40 p.m.