Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
February 14, 2008

Popular Program Helps Rural Groups Plan Economic Development

When the Irish Loop Development Board on the Avalon Peninsula wanted to identify and solve issues in its business community and its fishing industry last year, it turned to the Provincial Government�s Community Capacity Building Program (CCB).

"Essentially, the CCB program offers two things: training in organizational skills, and funding to help groups develop action plans to solve issues." said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD). "This is one of our most popular programs. It has been used by hundreds of people in community-based organizations throughout the province as they strive to grow rural communities with a strong entrepreneurial culture."

"We have used the CCB program to conduct planning sessions and build the capacity of our stakeholders including the Irish Loop Chamber of Commerce, Irish Loop Tourism Association, Irish Loop 50+ Association, the Southern Avalon Development Association, and the Celtic Business Development Corporation," said Harold Mullowney, president of the Irish Loop Development Board.

The CCB program offers training in regional economic development, community development principles and practices, public participation in regional economic development, alternative dispute resolution, group dynamics, meeting management, leadership, motivation, legal issues, and the four most popular subjects: communications, board governance, strategic planning, and orientation for new directors.

"In our region, the CCB program is an invaluable resource that provides direct results," said John MacPherson, executive director of the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board. "It has helped us work with aboriginal groups, business owners and community stakeholders to provide skills development and helped advance sector priorities. It has also fostered joint integrated planning by providing support for sessions between our organization and other economic zone boards."

More than 100 CCB sessions are delivered annually throughout the province. They encourage partnerships between local government and key stakeholders to plan for sustainable opportunities. Sessions are often adapted to address issues such as poverty reduction, municipal and regional leadership development, and volunteer recruitment.

"Collaboration and partnerships with community groups is central to diversifying local and provincial economies," said Minister Taylor. "Building diversified economies takes time, but it has to be done right, and cooperation at the local level is central to this process."

The CCB program assists community-based economic development organizations to facilitate regional economic development opportunities. CCB training modules and planning sessions are available province-wide for stakeholders with a clear link to economic and business development.

Partners in the CCB program include the College of the North Atlantic, ACOA, Mariner Resource Opportunities Network, Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Development Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Rural Secretariat.

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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 02 14                                                   10:05 a.m.

 


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