Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
January 10, 2008

Daniel�s Harbour Produces Community Improvement Plan

The Town of Daniel�s Harbour has formulated a plan designed to foster community development.  The Community Improvement Plan was developed in collaboration with the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD).  

"This is an exciting accomplishment for the Town of Daniel�s Harbour and is a testament to the power of working together," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.  "The town had a view of what it wanted and we were able to help the community help itself by identifying economic opportunities and prioritizing their development."

Daniel�s Harbour is located approximately one hour from Gros Morne National Park and three hours from L�Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site � two popular tourism destinations. The town identified core objectives, which included increasing tourism for economic benefit and creating an image that reflects the town�s heritage.  The result was a document that highlights the community�s assets with a schedule for implementing new initiatives.

"For a small community like Daniel�s Harbour it is important to think innovatively and to leverage its key attributes," said Minister Taylor. "Over a series of meetings an approach was developed that was achievable for the community to implement. I am confident that the plan will help stimulate a positive environment for residents and visitors to Daniel�s Harbour."

Thirteen tourism-related projects were identified. They included a whale watching waterfront walking trail, painting of heritage fishing sheds and structures, restoration of a 150-year old cemetery and newer cemeteries where Nurse Myra Bennett and Rufus Guinchard are buried, an addition of a replica barn to the Nurse Bennett Heritage House, and information kiosk and picnic area, a murals project and a boat launch at Winterhouse Pond to accommodate float planes.

"This was a useful process that produced an inventory of our tourism-related assets and a plan to develop them," said Daniel�s Harbour Mayor Steve Carey. "I was struck by how smoothly the process unfolded and by the amount of knowledge that Provincial Government officials brought to the table. In addition, as a council we learned new skills that will help us develop our tourism industry."

INTRD provides a number of services and programs to communities in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. These include community capacity building, business retention and expansion, and co-operative development. In addition, the department has a $5 million Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund which provides non-repayable contributions to economic development groups for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification. The fund is a component of the province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
ScottBarfoot@gov.nl.ca

2008 01 10                                                            9:40 a.m.


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