NLIS 4
September 5, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Nominations being sought for province's first Community Economic Development Awards

The Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development is inviting nominations for the province's first annual Community Economic Development Awards.

Five Community Economic Development Awards will be presented in October during Rural EXPO 2001, a unique three-day event to showcase and promote economic opportunities and business accomplishments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and organizations who have excelled as leaders in community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador," Minister Beaton Tulk said.

"Behind every successful economic development accomplishment, there are often individuals and organizations at the community level who devote countless time and effort to planning and implementing initiatives aimed at improving the economic prospects for their communities and regions. Their dedication and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, but it is appropriate at this time that their significant contributions be acknowledged in a more visible public manner," the minister said.

The five awards are as follows:

� Excellence in Partnerships. This award will recognize exceptional efforts and achievements of organizations working together to achieve positive results in community economic development.

� Outstanding Individual Achievement. This award will recognize the distinguished contribution of an individual to community economic development. The winner will demonstrate outstanding leadership skills, commitment to the community, and success from their efforts.

� Excellence in Fostering Entrepreneurship. This award will recognize an organization's or an individual's distinguished effort to promote, mentor, and/or foster entrepreneurship at the community level.

� Innovations in Education. This award will recognize exceptional efforts and achievements of an individual or group in bringing together education and community economic development programs and activities for the betterment of their communities.

� Excellence in Youth Leadership. This award will recognize a young person or youth group that has demonstrated exceptional initiative, visibility, leadership and success in engaging youth in community economic development.

The deadline for nominations for the awards is September 28, 2001. Nominations can be made to the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development by any individual or group.

All nominations submitted will be reviewed by an eight member awards committee. The committee is comprised of four representatives drawn from the 20 Regional Economic Development Boards, and one representative each from the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives, FINALY! (Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth), and the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

Minister Tulk said the awards ceremony will be an important component of Rural EXPO 2001. "Rural EXPO 2001 is intended to build on the major shift in attitude and growing confidence that is taking place in our province and that was so evident during the Jobs and Growth consultations. It will not only showcase and celebrate our accomplishments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador but will also help inform entrepreneurs, economic development practitioners and the public about the many economic and business opportunities available in the province." 

Rural EXPO 2001 will be held in Gander from October 25 to 27.

In addition to the Community Economic Development Awards ceremony and banquet, there are three other major components for Rural EXPO 2001:

� a conference component that will feature workshops and presentations;
� a rural showcase � displays and exhibitions by successful businesses, communities and industry organizations from all over the province; and
� a youth conference focusing on the role of youth in shaping the future of the province.

Additional information is available at www.gov.nl.ca/RuralEXPO. This website will be updated as details become available.

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

2001 09 05                                            11:40 a.m.