The Government of Canada is providing more than $776,000 to assist three community tourism projects in the Twillingate Islands and on Fogo Island under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), a key economic stimulus initiative under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“The development and enhancement of community tourism infrastructure is an important economic engine for rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway,. “Support for these initiatives through the Economic Action Plan will help the Twillingate Islands and Fogo Island to strengthen their tourism attractions, while preserving their communities’ rich culture and heritage.”

The three projects being funded under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) are:

Twillingate Islands Tourism Association Inc.

The Government of Canada is providing more than $600,000 to the Twillingate Islands Tourism Association Inc. to enhance the infrastructure associated with the Long Point Lighthouse, which was established in 1876 and remains a focal point for tourism in the area. Through this project, the Association will start the first phase of a comprehensive plan to enhance its tourism infrastructure. This will include renovations and modifications to the light keeper’s residence and the fog station. The project will also help provide the infrastructure necessary within the light keeper’s residence to help the Twillingate Islands Tourism Association Inc. attract a four star restaurant.

Town of Tilting

The Town of Tilting, located on Fogo Island, plans to establish a multi-use open concept studio to support the needs of visiting artists to the Reardon House Artists Retreat. The project will also include the completion of the final phase of the restoration and completion of interpretive displays for the “Old Post Office.” The Government of Canada is contributing $153,482 towards the initiative. In 2003, Tilting was designated as the province’s first Registered Heritage District, and it is also a National Historic site. Through this project, it plans to further enhance the cultural and tourism offerings in the area.

Town of Seldom-Little Seldom

The Government of Canada is investing $22,092 to help the Town of Seldom-Little Seldom to develop a world class Funk Island-Great Auk exhibit at the Fogo Island Marine Information Centre in Seldom. Funk Island is the site of the largest known former great auk colony in the world. Through this project, the Town will re-create and expand the existing exhibit with the production of canvas prints of Funk Island, the great auk, other seabirds, maps, charts and interpretation.

Over the next two years, the Community Adjustment Fund will deliver a total of
$1 billion in economic stimulus to communities across the country in support of local economic development. The CAF program is delivered in Atlantic Canada by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Including today’s projects, ACOA has announced close to $18.8 million in 45 CAF projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The Government of Canada will provide more than $776,000 to assist three community tourism projects under the Community Adjustment Fund, a key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The federal stimulus initiative is designed to help communities across Canada generate local economic activity, create and sustain jobs and position communities for new growth. The funding was announced by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

Projects being funded include $600,852 for the Twillingate Islands Tourism Association Inc. for important renovations and modifications to the light keeper’s residence and the fog station at the Long Point Lighthouse, $153,482 for the Town of Tilting, to establish a multi-use, open concept studio at the Reardon House Artists Retreat; and $22,092 to help the Town of Seldom-Little Seldom to develop a Funk Island-Great Auk exhibit at the Fogo Island Marine Information Centre in Seldom.

-30-

INFORMATION:

Erin Filliter 
Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister of ACOA
613-941-7241

Doug Burgess 
Director, Public Affairs, 
ACOA
709-772-2935