Executive Council
Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
August 25, 2015
Stimulating Economic Growth Through Investment in Regional Development
Over $850,000 Supports Economic Diversification in Labrador
A Provincial Government investment totalling $851,223 will support infrastructure development and build capacity at the Goose Bay Airport Corporation, the Labrador lnstitute of Memorial University, and the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association.
"The Provincial Government understands the correlation between strong regions and economic development and diversification. I am confident that this investment of $851,223 will help these organizations reach their strategic goals while also ensuring the economic viability of the region now and into the future."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The investment announced today included:
- $490,720 in support of the Labrador Institute's long-term research plan to attract highly qualified faculty and graduate students to conduct research on a series of topics in Labrador.
- $277,434 in support the of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation's plan to enhance its existing facility's by constructing a Mobile Workforce Distribution Centre, allowing the corporation to continue in its role as a regional transportation hub, as well as fully respond to major resource development projects in Labrador.
- $83,069 in support of the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association's goal of developing the first licensed shooting range facility in Labrador.
"Our government recognizes the importance of supporting ventures that generate economic opportunity and promote growth in rural areas of our province. Strong communities with important services and amenities are essential to maintaining and increasing the province's population, and our government is committed to supporting such initiatives, as highlighted in our Population Growth Strategy."
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
Funding is being provided under the Regional Development Fund which provides support by way of non-repayable contributions to organizations for the development and implementation of economic initiatives.
"A growing community such as Happy Valley-Goose Bay will benefit from these three announcements. By providing necessary funding for each of these entities, they can continue their work that supports Labrador both socially and economically. I am very pleased with today's announcement and it is another positive example of government's commitment to the great people of Labrador."
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
The series of investments was announced this morning by Premier Davis at the College of the North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which also houses the Labrador Institute.
"The Labrador Institute is grateful for the support being provided by the Provincial Government. Investments such as these are critical to the institute's operations, and subsequently allow our highly qualified personnel to implement a wide range of research and education programs. This partnership provides meaningful resources to the institute to conduct research that expands the Labrador knowledge base while at the same time aids the university in its ongoing efforts to provide new training opportunities. We look forward to a bright future, working closely with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as we continue to grow the footprint of Memorial University in the Labrador region. A strong and well educated Labrador, is of interest and benefit to all regions of the province."
- Keith Chaulk, Vice President Indigenous University of the Arctic, Director, Labrador Institute of Memorial University
The goal of the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development is to support a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy, making Newfoundland and Labrador a national and international business and tourism destination of choice. Details on the organizations receiving funding can be found in the backgrounder below.
QUICK FACTS
- The Goose Bay Airport Corporation, the Labrador lnstitute of Memorial University, and the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association will receive funding under the Regional Development Fund in support of economic development initiatives.
- Funding totalling $851,223 will support infrastructure development and build capacity at the Goose Bay Airport Corporation, the Labrador lnstitute, and the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association.
- The Population Growth Strategy is supported by four action plans covering the main elements of population growth - workforce, families, communities and immigration. For more information visit www.homeforgoodnl.ca
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Media contacts:
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Heather MacLean
Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey
Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
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Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1495 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
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Keith Chaulk
Vice President Indigenous University of the Arctic Director, Labrador Institute Memorial University of Newfoundland 709-896-6211 keith.chaulk@mun.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Regional Development Project Details
Goose Bay Airport Corporation
The Goose Bay Airport serves as a transportation hub for all of Labrador. In 2012-13 the Goose Bay Airport Corporation undertook and completed the expansion of its terminal facility; the expansion was designed to support growth in Labrador and the associated increase in passenger movements. Since expanding its capacity to handle approximately 120,000 passenger movements, Labrador's economic growth and prosperity has contributed to an increase in regular air traffic patterns and as a result the Goose Bay Airport Corporation is now experiencing regular traffic that exceeds the facility's current capacity.
The goal of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation is to develop an 11,000+ square foot single floor Mobile Work Force Distribution Centre Airport Terminal adjacent and connected to the Main Air Terminal Building as a northern distribution centre for mobile workforces. The distribution centre will initially meet the needs of the Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Project, while also allowing people and goods to travel faster, increasing productivity and cutting down on delays at the civilian aviation site.The centre will also be used as a marketing tool to further increase mineral exploration and development in Labrador.
Labrador lnstitute of Memorial University
Funding supports the Labrador Institute's efforts to recruit and hire four tenure track faculty to reside in Labrador. These positions lead applied research, recruit and train graduate students and develop much needed university-industry partnerships in the region.
The permanent presence of the highly qualified personnel residing In Labrador has increased the institute's outreach capacity and will continue to act as a catalyst for future economic development. To date, knowledge products derived from the research of the Labrador Institute have included:
- Salmon stock assessment in Lake Melville, which has positive impacts for the management of sport angling and local subsistence fisheries;
- Industrial applications of Biochar as a soil amendment to enhance food production and bolster local food security and to mitigate waste products found in mine tailing ponds and regional landfill sites;
- A better understanding of culturally specific teaching practices for Labrador Aboriginal communities.
The Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association
With approximately 400 members, the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association is dedicated to promoting the use and interest of hunters, fishers, trappers, anglers, boaters, shooters and other outdoor activities in Labrador. The association is committed to conservation, promotion, cooperation and the exchange of information with all like-minded people and organizations in using wildlife resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.
The Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association plans to construct a federally-certified 600 metre, multi position rifle, pistol, archery and trap skeet shooting range for sporting clay shoots. The association also intends on offering Range Safety Officer training to its members as well as safe hunting and shooting educational courses. The new shooting range will ensure that there is a controlled, safe range for all future shooting events in central Labrador. Once complete, the shooting range will be used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, wildlife officers of the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety, fisheries officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Department of National Defense, staff with the Canadian Border Services Agency, members of the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association Inc. Rifle Range Club, other rod and gun clubs, the Labrador Winter Games Athletes and registered public.
2015 08 25 10:25 a.m.