Investment Supports Women Entrepreneurs on the Burin Peninsula

The Grand Bank Development Corporation is expanding services offered through its Regional Women in Business Network with a $15,250 investment from the Provincial Government. A dedicated network coordinator will administer the new services, which include greater training and networking, as well as assist women to explore export opportunities in St. Pierre et Miquelon.

“This is an exciting venture that will introduce women-led businesses on the Burin Peninsula to new and emerging opportunities,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “This initiative of the Grand Bank Development Corporation complements the Provincial Government’s commitment to helping female entrepreneurs tackle the incredibly rewarding opportunities that exist on the local and international stage.”

Established in 2006, the Regional Women in Business Network consists of 15 businesses that are based in the Grand Bank-Fortune, Lawn-Lamaline, and Marystown-Burin areas of the Burin Peninsula. To date, activities have largely included lunch and learn information sessions and trade shows.

“This funding continues to demonstrate our government’s commitment to opening up new opportunities for women in business,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Grand Bank. “The Regional Women in Business Network has been very successful over the past few years in providing training and networking opportunities to women across the Burin Peninsula.”

In addition to the Provincial Government, partners of the Grand Bank Development Corporation in coordinating the regional network initiative include the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, the Burin Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and College of the North Atlantic, along with the Federal Government.

Cecilia Bungay, owner of Franco Services Consulting Ltd, highlighted the positive aspects of the Regional Women in Business Network.

“The Regional Women in Business Network has provided me the opportunities to avail of training and professional development that I would not have been able to access on my own,” said Ms. Bungay. “It is also a great source of expertise that I can call on for advice. Network members own and operate diverse enterprises, so there is no sense of competition, but rather of mutual support. Belonging to this organization has been a very positive experience for me.”

The Grand Bank Development Corporation is overseen by an executive director and eight-member volunteer board of directors. The corporation is focused on further developing the local and regional economies.

“The program has allowed businesswomen on the Burin Peninsula to form a solid support network,” said Doug Richardson, Executive Director, Grand Bank Development Corporation. “Fostering a strong bond amongst the participants, the Regional Women in Business Network, allows members to turn to each other when they need advice or assistance. More importantly, it has allowed these female-led businesses to take advantage of educational opportunities, expand their territories, and as a result, increase their sales.”

This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund. This program, through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, has $5 million available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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2011 11 17             10:15 a.m.