Tourism, Culture and Recreation
July 22, 2011
Funding Announced to Improve Community Programming and
Preserve Heritage in St. Barbe Region
Five organizations in the St. Barbe region have benefited from seven Job Creation Partnership projects approved by the Provincial Government. These projects were made possible through a maximum investment of up to $514,464 and support 45 individuals in gaining new skills and experience in an effort to help them attain long-term, meaningful employment.
“These projects are providing 45 individuals with valuable work experience and at the same time helping to improve communities where the projects are taking place,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. “The benefits of Job Creation Partnerships are countless and can often lead to an improved local pride and quality of life, as well as stronger economies in their respective areas.”
Job Creation Partnership program funding is provided through direct contributions to sponsors or through the extension of Employment Insurance benefits for project participants and may include in-kind or in-cash contributions from sponsors. Examples of potential partnership initiatives include maintenance and repairs to community infrastructure, such as town halls and churches, the beautification of public areas, and funding to support local events.
“Economic development is an important part of strengthening communities,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “These positions will support the economy of this area through increased local tourism efforts and improvements to recreation infrastructure.”
Through these projects, the Central Development Association received $90,784 to hire 10 labourers to improve recreational infrastructure in St. Paul’s and $105,790 to hire 12 labourers to construct a gear shed for the Harbour Authority in Cow Head; the Red Ochre Regional Board received $34,386 to hire a coordinator to provide labour market development support to the owners of Gros Morne Gatherings; the St. Barbe Development Association received $26,620 to hire nine people to assist with festival organization and interpretive programming and $41,136 to hire a coordinator and four assistants to support the Big Droke/Historic Cultures Foundation in operating the Bird Cove Interpretation Centre and the Big Droke Archaeological Project, and to conduct tours of Dog Peninsula; the Torrent River Salmon Interpretation Centre received $17,035 to hire two coordinators to plan the Salmon Symposium; and, the Town of Bird Cove received $198,713 to hire seven individuals to assist with the Going Healthy Program.
“Through the Job Creation Partnership Program, not only will 45 individuals gain valuable work experience, but residents of the St. Barbe area will benefit from the outcomes of these initiatives as well,” said Wallace Young, MHA for St. Barbe. “I offer my appreciation to all partners involved, including the projects sponsors for identifying the need for support, and the Provincial Government for providing the necessary funding to make these projects happen.”
In November 2009, responsibility for Labour Market Development Agreement programs and services, including the Job Creation Partnership program, transferred from the Federal Government to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Since that time, the Provincial Government has delivered approximately 475 projects with a total value of nearly $22 million, providing employment for over 2,250 individuals.
For more information on the Labour Market Development Agreement, including Job Creation Partnerships, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/lmda.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 709-729-0753, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
| Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
2011 07 22 2:30 p.m.