Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
August 18, 2017
Investing on the Irish Loop
Economic development on the Irish Loop has received a boost with funding from the Provincial Government. During a visit to the area today, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, announced a combined investment of almost $300,000 for the Edge of the Avalon Inn and the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council to further develop tourism initiatives, visitor experiences and support business growth in the area.
The Edge of the Avalon Inn received a repayable loan of $261,000 to assist with major enhancements to improve its visitor experience. Renovations included the installation of new siding, as well as significant upgrades to the kitchen, rooms, and dining areas. In addition, new interior and exterior doors were installed, and the property was landscaped to enrich its appearance to potential visitors.
A $32,777 investment from the department’s Regional Development Fund is being provided to the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council to develop and improve its tourism product offerings. The festival park will see enhancements to the stage, installation of a new canopy for the park entrance, and the construction of a multipurpose shelter. Upgrades to the Folk Arts Council grounds will include site drainage remediation, land development and the re-surfacing of the parking lot. Improvements to the Regional Arts Centre will include the installation of new windows, cobblestone, and thermal air conditioners.
The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador guides government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province's economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province. The vision includes a commitment to partner with the provincial tourism industry to achieve a target of $1.6 billion in resident and non-resident visitor annual spending by 2020. These initiatives are examples of the Provincial Government’s ongoing partnership with industry players.
Quotes
“The Provincial Government continues to support economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador. Today’s investment in the Edge of the Avalon Inn and the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council will further help develop tourism initiatives and visitor experiences, as well as support business growth on the Irish Loop. As committed in The Way Forward, we continue to work towards our goal of $1.6 billion in annual tourism spending by residents and non-residents in our province.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“We at The Edge of The Avalon Inn would like to pass along a sincere thank you for the support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. With your funding contribution it made it possible for us to undergo last year’s renovations to our restaurant and our guest rooms. This year we have added three beautiful suites themed around our local lighthouses. The past year has been extremely successful at the inn based on our guests’ feedback. Last year’s announcement of the Mistaken Point fossils becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site has given all of us in this region the feeling that the future looks bright on the southern Avalon. We hope to continue our efforts to be a spoke in the wheel for the ongoing initiatives of revitalization that our community of Trepassey is working diligently towards. Thanks again.”
John Devereaux
Edge of the Avalon Inn
“The Southern Shore Folk Arts Council acknowledges the financial support for enhancements to the festival park, Folk Arts Council grounds and Regional Arts Centre from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation. This investment in our infrastructure will allow us to continue to build upon the site’s attractiveness, services and events offered to our provincial guests and visiting tourists from outside the province. This investment will assist in supporting the local economy with employment opportunities and goods purchased while advancing the region in conjunction with other tourism operators. The success of the Folk Arts Council depends upon our ability to operate a diversified sustainable operation.”
Keith Mooney
Southern Shore Folk Arts Council
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Learn More
Edge of the Avalon Inn - edgeoftheavaloninn.com 
Southern Shore Folk Arts Council - www.ssfac.com
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL
Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
John Devereaux
Edge of the Avalon Inn
709-687-5705
johndevereaux@hotmail.com
Keith Mooney
Southern Shore Folk Arts Council
709-432-2052
kmooney@nf.aibn.com
2017 08 18 1:20 p.m.