With more than $310,000 in support from the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada, the Town of Placentia and Port of Argentia are undertaking signage strategies that will help grow the area’s tourism, heavy industrial and marine services sectors.
The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Placentia – St. Mary’s, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, and Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency made the announcement today.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, is providing the Town of Placentia with a non-repayable contribution of $122,385 to implement Phase I of its Wayfinding Signage Strategy. The Provincial Government is contributing $41,203 from the Regional Development Program towards the project. Phase I will include the development and installation of several signs around the community to help promote the area’s tourism assets, enhance the tourist experience, increase the number of visitors to Placentia and encourage them to stay longer.
The Port of Argentia is receiving $98,000 from ACOA’s Business Development Program to develop a new signage program that will include a variety of directional and information signs installed in high-visibility areas around the port’s industrial sites. This initiative will enhance productivity, make the facilities more user friendly and support the port’s ongoing marketing activities and business development efforts. The Provincial Government previously announced a contribution of $49,000 towards this initiative.
These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to create opportunities for all Atlantic Canadians. This includes supporting economic development in rural communities through investments in growth, expansion and diversification.
Support for these projects also builds on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Our government aims to increase the number of high quality, Newfoundland and Labrador tourism experiences. We want to attract more visitors and to encourage them to stay longer and experience more. Improving the visitor journey is a key initiative of The Way Forward’s Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan, and this wayfinding signage strategy will promote tourism assets in Placentia Bay, enhance the tourist experience, and increase the number of visitors to region.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“This initiative highlights the incredible tourism and business opportunities in our province. Particularly, I look forward to welcoming visitors to the Town of Placentia and Port of Argentia, sharing our unique history, and enhancing our economic development.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Service NL and MHA for Placentia–St. Mary’s
“The Government of Canada believes that public investment is an important catalyst that spurs economic growth, job creation and broad-based prosperity. By supporting these initiatives, we are helping to develop a stronger and diversified economy in the Placentia Bay region.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“I am delighted that our government is supporting these two important initiatives and I commend the Town of Placentia and the Port of Argentia for their commitment to growing the region’s economy. These investments will enable the Town to build upon the great work being done to boost its tourism sector and support the port’s activities to generate new business and growth opportunities.”
Ken McDonald
Member of Parliament for Avalon
“The Town of Placentia is looking forward to implementing this new strategy and seeing the bilingual signage that is necessary to promote Placentia as a cultural destination on the Avalon and enhance visitors’ experience in the ancient French capital.”
Bernard Power
Mayor, Town of Placentia
“The Port of Argentia is delighted with ACOA’s support and participation in this valuable initiative as the port continues to grow its presence as an economic driver for the western Avalon region and all of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Harvey Brenton
Chief Executive Officer, Port of Argentia
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Town of Placentia 
Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Paul McGrath
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Paul.McGrath@canada.ca
Erin Sulley
Government Members Office
709-729-5036
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca
Jane Hynes
Town of Placentia
709-227-2151, ext. 229
Harvey Brenton
Port of Argentia
709-227-5502
w.brenton@portofargentia.ca