OREANDA-NEWS. August 24, 2016. Enhancing a key community asset in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove will help to further develop the area’s tourism sector, thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments. Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, provincial Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, today announced combined funding of \\$86,700 for the Petty Harbour Fisherman’s  Producers Co-operative Society Ltd. for this initiative.

The project involves converting an unused portion of the former cod processing plant, owned by the Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-operative Society, into a multi-purpose centre for community events, meetings, and classroom training. The new centre will be used primarily by the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium to expand its services and programs, which will help attract more tourists to the facility, enhance visitor experience, and boost tourism activity that will benefit other attractions and businesses in the area.

The Government of Canada provided \\$57,000 towards the project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund while the provincial government contributed \\$19,700 from the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development and \\$10,000 from the Department of Municipal Affairs.

As part of the recently launched Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Government of Canada and the four provincial governments are committed to supporting infrastructure projects in communities across the region. This investment builds on this commitment. Communities prosper when all people have affordable and accessible gathering spaces to find support and enrich their quality of life.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in projects that help diversify local economies and support growth industries like tourism. This investment through the Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-operative Society Ltd., demonstrates how capitalizing on a community’s natural strengths and assets can play an important role in strengthening our economy for the future.” 

-     The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove is becoming a world-renowned tourist destination and the Government of Canada is pleased to support this initiative which builds community capacity and increases tourism activity in the area. The mini aquarium is one of the community’s top tourist attractions and the Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-operative Society Ltd. is to be commended for its efforts to identify new opportunities that help position the area for long-term growth and prosperity.”   

-       Seamus O’Regan, MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

"Our government is pleased to support the Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-Operative Society on this project. Co-operatives play an integral role in community and economic development. This project supports regional tourism development, youth engagement through the participation of young people as part of the Mini-Aquarium’s experiential learning activities, and community capacity building through the development of new facilities that will generate opportunities for regional economic initiatives in the future."

-      The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, provincial Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

"The Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-operative Society Ltd. is focused on the social and economic well-being of our community and we thank the federal and provincial governments for their support as we diversify our facility and enhance our tourism assets, including expanding on the operations of the mini aquarium. Support for this project shows a commitment by both levels of government to invest in meaningful initiatives that are helping to diversify and sustain rural communities that once depended on traditional industries like fisheries.”

-     Tom Best, President, Petty Harbour Fisherman’s Producers Co-operative Society Ltd.