Funding to assist with pursuit of airport diversification opportunities

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, and Gander district MHA Sandra Kelly today announced that funding of $45,000 has been approved for the Gander International Airport Authority.

The funding, provided by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal, will assist with ongoing efforts to diversifiy new business opportunities related to the world-class infrastructure available at the airport in Gander. It will specifically offset the cost of having an international consultant prepare a business plan that will look at ways of promoting Gander as an air cargo distribution centre. The Gander International Airport Authority will also be making a financial contribution to the plan.

"Identifying private sector companies who could potentially use Gander as a cargo distribution centre will be another step forward in diversifying the operations of the airport and in stimulating investment in the operations," Ms. Kelly said. "Each step forward brings us closer to strengthening Gander�s position in the aerospace industry, and this will have a positive economic impact on the entire area."

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.

2000 02 25                                                 3:50 p.m.