Backgrounder
Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy
Grand Falls-Baie Verte-Harbour Breton

Regional Profile¹
Number of Communities: 92, including Baie Verte, Middle Arm, Springdale, Pilley's Island, Botwood, Grand Falls-Windsor, Recontre East, Harbour Breton, St. Alban's and Buchans

Population: 51,270 in 2001 (24,7000 in the Grand Falls-Point Leamington area)

Top Three Industries by Employment Level, 2000: Manufacturing, Agriculture/Fishing/Forestry/Hunting, and Retail Trade

Total Number of Businesses, 2003: 1,639 businesses with the top three industries being Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, and Other Services (except Public Administration)

Strategic Sectors
Regional Priority Sectors: Agrifoods and Fishery, Manufacturing, Forestry, Mining and Tourism.

Industrial Diversification Opportunities - Examples
Agrifoods and Fishery:

• Secondary processing of seal oil, seal oil capsules and other seal products

• Value-added crab products throughout the region

• Expansion of native berry and cold crop production throughout the region

• Nutraceuticals, functional foods and herbs

• Finfish aquaculture development

• Shellfish aquaculture development

• Fur breeding

• Industrial milk sector development throughout the region

• Establishment of a cold storage/ processing facility for root crops

• Christmas tree production

Manufacturing:

• Boat building expansion

• Expansion/development of business networks throughout the region

Forestry:

• Value-added wood manufacturing/diversification

Mining:

• Pine Cove Project (gold)

• Duck Pond (base metals)

Tourism:

• Whale Tour Network development

• Dorset Eskimo site development in Fleur De Lys

¹ Source: Community Accounts