Support from the provincial and federal governments will enable the Town of Holyrood to implement Phase III of its Oceans Holyrood Initiative (OHI). The town will undertake various marketing activities to highlight its competitive advantages, attract investment and secure partnerships with the support of approximately $231,000 from the federal and provincial governments. This includes attending oceans-related trade events, developing specific OHI promotional resources, as well as creating a social media strategy and an interactive business map.

Betty Parsley, Parliamentary Secretary for Service NL and MHA for Harbour Main, 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 Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, made the announcement in Holyrood today. The town will receive a non-repayable contribution of $156,000 through ACOA’s Business Development Program and $75,000 from the provincial Regional Development Program for the initiative.

Launched in 2013, the OHI focuses on promoting and advancing Holyrood’s oceans sector. Its vision is to establish the town as a diversified, self-sustaining community of practice in ocean-related research, education, training and business development.

These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in regions 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 innovation, growth and diversification.

Provincial support for this project also delivers on commitments of 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
“We recognize the need to build on strategic investments by the Town of Holyrood and its partners in recent years. Strengthened by an impressive facility such as the Marine Base, Holyrood is becoming more diversified, and OHI will help attract the best-in-class oceans related research, education, training and business development.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the oceans sector to our economy and is committed to investing in smart oceans-related initiatives that stimulate economic growth, create jobs and foster long-term prosperity. We are pleased to support the Town of Holyrood’s efforts to promote Holyrood as a strategic and sustainable oceans development centre and to strengthen and diversify the local economy.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Town of Holyrood is to be commended for its hard work and innovative thinking to diversify its economy and establish itself as a key player in the province’s oceans industry, especially in oceans-related research, education and training. We are proud to support this initiative, which will better position the town to capture new opportunities to further develop its oceans sector and continue to build upon the great work it has achieved to date through the OHI.”
Ken McDonald
Member of Parliament for Avalon

“This is a great day for the Town of Holyrood. I am proud to say that past investments by government have led to today’s thriving ocean technology cluster in our province. By working together, we see the results of the hard work put towards strengthening and diversifying Holyrood’s economy. This funding builds on emerging opportunities in the region, and supports the growth of the ocean sector in the province.”
Betty Parsley
Parliamentary Secretary for Service NL and MHA for Harbour Main

“The Town of Holyrood is proud to once again partner with our funding agencies to open economic possibilities through the Oceans Holyrood Initiative. The recent funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation allows Holyrood to continue our work on establishing Holyrood as the Cold Ocean Research and Innovation Hub for the ocean sector. This announcement is affirmation of our vision statement to be a proud and inclusive community striving to maintain our natural beauty and eager to prosper as a community of practice for ocean technology and strategic investment.”
Gary Goobie
Mayor, Town of Holyrood

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Learn more
Oceans Holyrood Initiative

Governments Invest in Town of Holyrood

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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Paul McGrath
Director of Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Paul.McGrath@canada.ca

Erin Sulley
Government Members Office
709-729-5306
erinsulley@gov.nl.ca

Gary Goobie
Town of Holyrood
709-229-7252
gary.goobie@holyrood.ca