The federal and provincial governments today announced 13 regional economic development initiatives which will invest more than $7 million into the Newfoundland and Labrador economy.

The projects, funded through the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC), were announced by the Honourable George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin.

"The federal government, through these investments, is fulfilling its commitment to improve the economic climate in areas of the province that have been hard hit by the groundfish moratorium," said Minister Baker. "These investments will lead to increased employment and earned income opportunities for people living in our coastal communities."

The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are working together to bring the Agreement plans and priorities forward. Premier Tobin noted that the initiatives receiving support through the Agreement will help the province realize its long-term investment strategy for economic growth.

"The initiatives being announced today demonstrate that co-operation is the key to achieving success in regional economic development," said Premier Tobin. "Each of these projects has been developed through a team approach by the parties involved: the result is increased employment opportunities for entire regions."

Funds from the Agreement support the following long-term development activities:

improvements to Banting Memorial Park, a tourist attraction in Musgrave Harbour where Sir Frederick Banting, co- inventor of insulin, died in 1944;

a range of sustainable tourism initiatives in the Exploits Valley to build on that region's year-round tourism product;

a pilot project to support the enhancement of the fur-breeding industry in the province with the development of a central feed kitchen;

a pilot project in forestry called helilogging, which involves the retrieval of timber by helicopter from areas difficult to access by traditional methods;

continued development of the international calibre East Coast Trail;

upgrades to the water supply system in the Labrador community of Charlottetown which will attract new business investment;

a review of the marine transportation needs for the community of Gaultois;

establishment of a competitive cranberry industry in Newfoundland and Labrador;

development of "Norstead" in L'Anse aux Meadows as part of the Vikings!1000 Years celebrations;

development of a walking trail as a tourism offering in Little Bay Islands;

a tourism initiative to enhance whale watching accessibility in St. Vincent's Beach-Holyrood Pond area;

three tourism initiatives in St. Mary's which include archeology work, construction of a Veteran's Interpretation Centre, and a walking trail at Hare Hill;

enhancements to the Barbour Living Heritage Village with the addition of a Seal Hunt Interpretation Centre.

These initiatives are supported by the Regional Economic Development Boards as ways to diversify the economies of these areas.

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry.

It is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal. Funding was previously announced for strategic harbour infrastructure in St. Anthony and four fisheries diversification initiatives.

Note to news editors: Specific project information is included in backgrounders which follow.

For more information, please contact:

Doug Burgess
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Heidi Bonnell
Premier's Office
(709) 729-3564

Banting Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

With a $200,000 contribution from the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC), the Town of Musgrave Harbour will expand the Banting Interpretation Centre, located in the Sir Frederick Banting Memorial Municipal Park.

In January of 1922, Sir Frederick Banting and his team of researchers made a discovery that would improve the lives of people around the world. Approximately 1.5 million people in Canada alone rely on insulin to survive. Dr. Banting is recognized around the world for his astonishing contribution to medical science.

Sir Frederick Banting was awarded the military cross for valour during the first world war, and was on his way to join the RAF in World War II when his plane, a Lockheed Hudson Bomber, crashed about 15 km south of Musgrave Harbour. The pilot and three passengers, including Dr. Banting, were taken to the Loyal Orange Lodge in Musgrave Harbour. Only the pilot, Captain Joseph Mackey, survived.

In 1990, the plane was moved to Sir Frederick Banting Memorial Municipal Park, the location of the Banting Memorial Interpretation Centre. Visitors to the centre come to see memorabilia from the crash, and to pay tribute to Sir Frederick Banting.

Project funds will be used for:

extensive work on the Lockheed Hudson Bomber to return the aircraft to its original appearance;

professional landscaping which will provide a pleasing and appropriate surrounding, and place the aircraft in a geographic and historic context;

interpretive signage to inform and educate visitors to the site;

improvements to the Loyal Orange Lodge, the oldest structure in Musgrave Harbour.

Restoration of the Hudson Bomber will take place at aircraft facilities in Gander, with technical assistance, labour and transportation provided by Newfoundland Bonding and Composites (a division of Canadian Helicopters). The Banting Interpretation Centre is located along the Road to the Shores section of the Kittiwake Coast, in close proximity to Newtown Barbour Living Heritage Village which recently reported a 64 per cent increase in visitation over last year.

EVEDC, Town of Botwood Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is contributing $420,000 towards the expansion of the Exploits Valley region's existing tourism product.

The Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation (EVEDC) is one of 20 Regional Economic Development Boards in Newfoundland and Labrador. The board has a mandate to identify and promote economic development priorities for the region. The EVEDC, in partnership with the Town of Botwood, and the Exploits Valley Tourism Association (EVTA), will combine expertise and resources to improve tourism infrastructure in the towns of Botwood, Northern Arm, Point Leamington, Phillip's Head, Point of Bay, Cottrell's Cove, Fortune harbour, Glover's Harbour and Leading Tickles.

The EVEDC has determined that the communities identified for tourism infrastructure improvements in this project have considerable potential for tourism expansion and have had limited tourism promotion and development to date.

The project will build linkages between existing sites and facilities, and develop new attractions which complement the overall tourism marketing and development plan for the region. With coordination by the EVEDC and the Town of Botwood, individual communities within the zone will take the responsibility for implementing projects in their respective areas. The EVEDC and the EVTA will work together to create a marketing plan for the newly enhanced tourism product.

The construction phase of the project as a whole will provide 700 weeks of short term work. Municipalities, partners and individual businesses will hire an additional 10 staff members to facilitate the expansion.

This project has been identified as a top priority of the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation.

The individual elements of the project will effectively close the gaps between existing and needed tourism activities, attractions, accommodations and services. Within the context of the region's positioning statement Exploits Wild and Free, the project will greatly increase the area's ability to attract, and retain tourists.

Fur Farming Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $375,000 in the purchase of equipment for a Central Feed Kitchen to support the fur- breeding industry. The kitchen facility was constructed with funding from the Department of Development and Rural Renewal and the Canada-Newfoundland Agriculture Safety Nets Initiative.

The completed feed kitchen, to be located three km south on the Bay D'Espoir Highway, will provide feed services to 14 fur breeders in Central Newfoundland, who are also shareholders in the initiative, and another four producers outside the central area. Feed produced in excess of the current local requirements will be exported to markets in other parts of Canada.

The feed kitchen will provide full-time employment for four people, casual employment for four to six, and will secure employment for 14 shareholder farmers and 33 full-time equivalent labour positions on farms.

The Fur Farming Industry Preliminary Strategic Planning document of 1988 identified the development of feed kitchens as a priority in the long-term development of a viable fur industry for the province. Newfoundland and Labrador's fur-breeding industry suffered a temporary decline in the late 1980s due to a global downturn in fur markets. Since then, however, the fur industry has made a significant recovery; the value of Canadian fur products doubled between 1992 and 1997 from $143 million to $287 million. Markets for fur products are expanding in Japan, China and the former Soviet Union.

If Newfoundland and Labrador's 46 existing fur breeders are to participate in this growing industry, expanding their current operations to a minimum viable level of 600 animals per farm is necessary. Accessible feed kitchens, which use waste products from the fishing, aquaculture and poultry industries to produce feed for farmed, fur- bearing animals, are essential to that expansion.

Once established the Central Feed Kitchen will become a regional model for the establishment and operations of regional feed kitchens in Newfoundland and Labrador. Central Feed Kitchen Ltd. is an incorporated entity owned by the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association (51%), and the 14 shareholder farmers (49%).

Helilogging Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries and Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $563,315 in a pilot project to be undertaken by the Newfoundland and Labrador Lumber Producers Association (NLLPA). The NLLPA will investigate the economic and technical feasibility of helilogging (the use of helicopters to retrieve wood from where it is felled)to harvest currently inaccessible timber throughout the province.

The pilot project will include leasing a helicopter, hiring crew to fly and maintain the aircraft, and hiring and training 16 forest harvesters. The helilogging activity will take place on crown land in provincial forestry districts 9 and 16, the east and west shores of White Bay. The project is expected to take approximately three to four months; the end result will be a comprehensive report detailing technical, environmental and economic results. This information will be made available to industry for consideration for future investments in harvesting operations using this technology.

The helilogging pilot project will use technology, harvesting and retrieval methods developed in British Columbia. The project is expected to provide the following benefits:

increase the provincial annual allowable cut by opening up new areas not currently being accessed;

create short-term employment for 16 wood cutters over a three to four month period;

reduce the requirements for forest access roads;

allow the forestry sector to take advantage of prime logging opportunities in the province, and/or enhance the sustainability of existing logging operations;

establish the feasibility of helilogging in the province;

and provide commercial opportunities and employment in the aviation and support industries.

The NLLPA is a not-for-profit organization representing commercial sawmill operators and timber harvesters throughout the province. The primary objective of the association is to facilitate the development, growth and competitiveness of the sawmill industry.

The provincial 20-year Forestry Development Plan indicates a significant timber shortage in this province. The proposed helilogging project can potentially provide the information necessary to help address the shortage so that future domestic and commercial demands can be met without undue strain on the forest systems. The provincial allowable cut does not include, in its calculation, timber in potential helilogging areas.

This project is a partnership between governments, the industry association, public education institutions and the private sector. The College of the North Atlantic will provide training for ground crew, planners and supervisors. The sale of timber from this pilot project will be applied to the activity to lessen the public investment.

East Coast Trail Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The East Coast Trail Association (ECTA) has received $1.15 million from the Canada- Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC). The fund will be used to complete the construction of the core section of the trail in the Avalon region. The project will create 195 km of international hiking trails from St. John's to Cappahayden. The major components of the initiative include: construction of boardwalks, small stream bridgework, stair systems, stone work and other trail hardening activities to accommodate high usage; design and fabrication of all directional, trailhead and regional sideboards; design and construction of remote area campsites; and planning, design, and construction of all trailhead facilities.

The initiative links two National Historic Sites, 22 communities, two provincial parks, the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, the Avalon wilderness area, and many other attractions and heritage sites.

The ECTA is a 625-member non-profit group formed in 1994 to undertake and promote the ongoing development and maintenance of an international calibre hiking trail from Cape Race to Cape St. Francis and on to Conception Bay South. Approximately 200 km of trail have already been cleared and marked and are open to the public. The group has generated significant interest in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States and Canada.

The project will create 40 jobs during the two-year construction phase and offers significant opportunity for long-term economic benefit. The project has the potential to bring thousands of visitors to the province increasing entrepreneurship opportunities in the tourism/hospitality sector.

The ECTA has received considerable attention from media around the world. In the summer of 1999 the ECTA was featured in Nature Canada, Explore, and Equinox. The ECTA website is linked to more than 50 other hiking/travel web sites and receives over 35,000 visits per year.

Development of the East Coast Trail is supported by the Irish Loop Regional Economic Development Board, Capital Coast Development Alliance, Southern Shore/St. Mary's Bay Community Development Corporation and the Southern Shore Rural Development Association.

Little Bay Islands Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The Town of Little Bay Islands has received funding support of $294,761 from the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative to construct a walking/nature trail on the island as a tourism offering.

This initiative is in support of the Emerald Zone Corporation's (Zone 11) strategic economic plan which recognizes tourism as a major enhancement of long-term economic climate in the region.

This project complements the development of a trail constructed last year which ran from the ferry terminal to the top of Pole Hill where a viewing platform was built. Development of these trails allows a community hard hit by the groundfish moratorium to address short-term labour issues while developing a long-term tourism product.

St. Mary's Bay Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries and Adjustment Initiative (EDC) is investing $331,965 in two tourism initiatives in the St. Mary's Bay area.

The Town of St. Vincent's-St. Stephen's-Peter's River will enhance accessibility for whale watching in the St. Vincent's/Holyrood Beach area with funding of $93,396.

Whale watching is a major attraction along the Southern Shore, particularly in the St. Vincent's-Holyrood Beach area between June and August when humpback whales feed in deep waters very close to the steep beach. The project entails construction of a parking lot, boardwalk and viewing platform with coin-operated telescopes to allow for better and longer viewing periods. The project will create six short-term jobs.

The St. Mary's Bay Centre Development Association will develop three key tourism initiatives totalling $238,569 and creating 26 short-term jobs: completion of archeology work in preparation of the development of a military battery site in St. Mary's;

the tourism strategy for the region proposes the development of six military gun batteries in the Irish Loop region located in Bay Bulls, Ferryland, Fermuse, Renews, Trepassey, and St. Mary's. Archeology work has been completed for all other sites.

establishment of a Veteran's Interpretation Centre to display and store artifacts related to the military to build on the region's military theme;

construction of a hiking trail from Hare Hill to Holyrood Pond - a unique land- locked fjord - to allow visitors to view the pond and surrounding area.

All of these initiatives will encourage additional tourist visitation to the region and encourage them to complete the Irish Loop, spending more time and money in the region.

These projects are part of the region's overall tourism strategy and are expected to further economic development spin off and business opportunities in the region.

Town of Charlottetown, Water Supply System Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $1.72 million in upgrades to the water supply system in Charlottetown, a fishing community located on the Southeast Coast of Labrador. With a population of 350 people, it is the only year-round settlement in Labrador that does not have an industrial base. Charlottetown is one of 11 communities in Southeastern Aurora Economic Zone, one of the areas hardest hit by the groundfish moratorium. Approximately 85 per cent of the workforce was displaced.

The value of landed shrimp in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1995 totals $200 million. Recognizing the opportunity for residents of Labrador to participate in the on- shore processing of shrimp, the Labrador Fishermen's Union Shrimp Company (LFUSC) board of directors financed a study to determine the feasibility of setting up a shrimp plant on the south coast of Labrador. As a result, the LFUSC is proposing to privately finance the establishment of a $7 million shrimp processing facility at Charlottetown. The plant is expected to employ 120 full-time seasonal workers and a further 15 during construction. In order to proceed with construction, the water supply system in the town must be upgraded. Funding for the upgrade is conditional on the applicant demonstrating that the required private sector financing for the proposed shrimp plant is in place. The project has received the support of the Southeastern Aurora Economic Development Corporation.

The LFUSC is currently the major fish processing operation in Labrador with crab processing facilities at Cartwright, Mary's Harbour, Pinsent's Arm. The company also has a groundfish/pelagic plant at L'Anse au Loup. The company employs approximately 600 people and services approximately 1100 fishers. Construction and operation of the shrimp facility will benefit the communities of Charlottetown, Norman's Bay, Pinsent's Arm, and Port Hope Simpson.

It is further anticipated that the water supply system upgrade and subsequent shrimp plant will result in a number of additional spin-off opportunities, including: establishment or expansion of small businesses in the areas of welding, diving, electronic equipment sales, marine supply/repair and transportation. Indirect opportunities include establishment or expansion of accommodations, food/beverage, retail stores, and professional services.

Marine Transportation Study Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement on the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is contributing $25,000 towards a study into marine transportation needs for the Community of Gaultios. The study will be overseen by the Gaultois Investment Corporation (GIC), a not-for-profit organization formed in 1991. GIC is the owner of the fish processing facility and equipment in the community of Gaultois. Employing more than 100 people in the community, GIC has a groundfish quota of more than 3500 tonnes.

GIC will hire a consultant to review the current commercial and passenger marine transportation operations, and identify the community's requirements. The consultant will examine the marine transportation service, the shore-based infrastructure required, and assess alternatives to accommodate the identified marine transportation needs of local establishments.

Marine transportation is a significant element in the operations of fish processing businesses. All previous private sector operators have described the need to address the transportation of product into and out of the community as essential to ensuring the transport of high quality products to international markets.

Terms of Reference for the study have established the framework to achieve a detailed overview and analysis, and to provide source documents for interested stakeholders in industry and government. The consultant will meet with interested stakeholders, review services and capacity, and cost the marine transportation service options and alternatives currently available.

The report's findings will become the basis for identifying the most appropriate and cost-effective shore-based infrastructure and marine transportation system, to move product in and out of the community. If implemented, the consultant's report will assist local firms in becoming more competitive, improve their long-term sustainability and enhance the stability of Gaultois' economy.

Cranberry Industry Pilot Project Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $780,000 to support the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods work to establish a competitive cranberry industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Two of the existing sites will be expanded by three acres each, for the production of cultured vines, which will create further expansion of the industry. It is tentatively scheduled to be developed at the two present sites of Terra Nova and Deadman's Bay. In addition, two new five-acre sites are tentatively scheduled to be developed in the Stephenville Crossing area of the west coast and the other at Grant's Pit just east of Gambo. Each site will provide an estimated 120 weeks of employment per year.

A viable, sustainable cranberry industry developed in this province has great potential to create and enhance many businesses, such as site construction, pre-fabrication of bulk heads and piping for water control, machinery and equipment transportation and of course the berries themselves which will create many value-added opportunities in the processing of juices and jellies and other products.

The cranberry industry in North America has shown steady growth since 1994 when its value was estimated at $1.1 billion. In the United States alone, cranberry production increased by 20 per cent between 1996 and 1998 to meet the steady increase in demand. Throughout Canada, farmers are experimenting with cranberries in an effort to take advantage of a large, and still growing, market. An abundance of available land, peat, sand, clean water and a knowledgeable work force here in Newfoundland, positions us to farm and process cranberries with considerable competitive advantage.

Since 1996 the provincial Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods has been researching the viability of cranberry farming at four test sites: Deadman's Bay, Stephenville, Frenchman's Cove and Terra Nova. Newfoundland's cranberry vines are being grown from tissue- cultured plants. This will allow farmers to start with locally matured plant stock, rather than importing plants which may carry diseases and pests; this is the first time this approach has been used in Canada on such a large scale. To further protect the integrity of the local stock, it is now illegal to import vines from outside the province, or to export locally grown vines. Each new vine can produce fruit for 50 to 100 years.

The development of the sites will be a cooperative effort, with private operators contributing capital investment, and assuming the costs for post-construction planting. At the end of the start-up period, private operators will assume full responsibility for the sites.

Viking Trail Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $620,750 in Norstead: A Grand Encampment, a Viking Millennium project undertaken by the Viking Trail Tourism Association. EDC funding will assist with:

construction of the event staging area;

creative elements: re-enactors, artisans, designers and engineers, writers storylines and scripts;

site communications, washrooms, waste disposal, village operations;

travel costs for participating re-enactors.

The Viking Trail Tourism Association is a non-profit organization which oversees various aspects of tourism development and promotion in the area from Deer Lake to St. Anthony on the island, and from L'Anse au Clair to Battle Harbour in Labrador.

Norstead: A Grand Encampment is an event developed as part of the Vikings!1000 Years, a project designed to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Vikings' arrival at L'Anse aux Meadows. A specially created Viking port of trade will be open to visitors from July 17 to September 8. Visitors will experience the daily lives of the Norse as it would have existed a millennium ago. At the peak of activity the site will be inhabited by 100 re-enactors, about half of whom will be residents of the area; the other half will be international re-enactors from around the world.

Norstead will operate for eight weeks between mid-July and mid-September 2000, with a different theme each week such as Viking weddings and battles. A market place will be constructed and accessible and there will be space for local vendors to offer crafts and food for sale.

Throughout the year 2000 the province will focus tourism activities under the theme Vikings! 1000 Years. Make the Journey. Projected visitation statistics for the next three years include an increase of up to 20,000 visitors to L'Anse aux Meadows, and 50,000 to Gros Morne National Park. Norstead will be a major element of the Vikings! 1000 Years event.

The Viking Millennium celebration is the culmination of the Viking Trail Tourism Accord signed in September 1994 by the Viking Trail Tourism Association, ACOA, Canadian Heritage, Human Resources Development Canada and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Cape Freels Tourism Initiative Backgrounder

The Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) is investing $593,000 in the enhancement of the Barbour Living Heritage Village to include a new Sealing Interpretation Centre. The project will be overseen by the Cape Freels Heritage Trust.

Since completion of a comprehensive Business Plan and Development Concept in 1995, the Cape Freels Historic Trust Inc. has worked to develop tourism attractions at Newtown and Greenspond, Bonavista Bay. The Barbour Living Heritage Village at Newtown currently consists of 12 buildings, two of which won the 1998 Southcott Award. Within the site there is a craft shop, restaurant, theatre, art gallery, fishing stage and flake. Tours are conducted through the summer by guides in period costume. The existing Barbour Living Heritage Village and Courthouse have exceeded initial expectations, attracting 21,000 visitors in 1999; planners had predicted 15,000.

The Cape Freels Historic Trust plans to enhance the existing Barbour Living Heritage Village with the addition of a Seal Hunt Interpretation Centre. The Old Factory and Carpentry Shop at the western-most point of the site will be re-constructed to house the new exhibit. The interpretation will focus on human aspects of the seal hunt, the lifestyle of the time, and the cultural influence of the hunt itself. The micro and macro ecosystems that defined the lives of men and women along this coast will be examined, and a history of bravery, tragedy and survival, told for future generations.

The new facility will contain displays that interpret the ecosystem influencing local conditions, and the sometimes tragic events that occurred. Artifacts from ships wrecks and sealing disasters will be displayed, and the centre will have a viewing room where visitors can see videos and films such as "At the Front".

Town of Musgrave Harbour enhancements to the Sir Banting Memorial Interpretation Centre and the Loyal Orange Lodge $ 200,000

Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation Botwood, Northern Arm, Point Leamington, Philip's Head,Point of Bay, Cottrell's Cove, Fortune Harbour, Glover's Harbour and Leading Tickles tourism infrastructure improvements $ 420,000

Central Feed Kitchen Bay D'Espoir establishment of a pilot central feed kitchen to supply the fur breeders $ 375,000

Newfoundland and Labrador Lumber Producers Association White Bay a pilot project in helilogging to determine economic and technical feasibility of using this method to retrieve wood from otherwise inaccessible areas $ 563,315

East Coast Trail Association Cape Race - Cape St. Francis construction of a core section of the East Coast trail $ 1,150,000

Town of Little Bay Islands Little Bay Islands, Green Bay construction of a walking/nature trail as a tourism offering in the community $ 294,761

Town of St. Vincent-St. Stephen's-Peter's River St. Mary's Bay tourism initiative to enhance whale watching accessibility $ 93,396

St. Mary's Bay Centre Development Association St. Mary's Bay tourism initiative to complete archeology work, establish a Veterans Interpretation Centre and construct a hiking trail $ 238,569 Town of Charlottetown Charlottetown, Labrador upgrades to the town's water supply system to allow for commercial operations $ 1,719,250

Gaultois Investment Corporation Gaultois a study into the marine transportation needs for the community $ 25,000

Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Terra Nova , Deadman's Bay, Stephenville Crossing, Grant's Pit (proposed sites) cranberry industry development pilot project $ 780,000

Viking Trail Tourism Association L'Anse Aux Meadows construction of "Norstead", a living interpretation of the only authenticated Viking settlement in the New World as part of the Vikings!1000 Years celebrations $ 620,750

Cape Freels Historic Trust Inc. Newtown enhancements to the Barbour Living Heritage Village with the addition of a Sealing Interpretation Centre $ 593,000 TOTAL INVESTMENT $ 7,073,041