08 Jan. 2013, Holyrood, NL: Support for the Town of Holyrood and the Holyrood Marina Park Corporation will help the region to advance growing industries and business opportunities, thanks in part to assistance from the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement of the two projects was made today by Senator Fabian Manning on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie); and the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

“Our government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians, which is achieved through strategic investments like these that help diversify rural regions,” said Senator Manning. “These investments in Holyrood demonstrate our support for business and community initiatives that will help advance growth industries such as ocean technology and tourism.”

“Newfoundland and Labrador features a diversified provincial economy, with a variety of industry sectors contributing to healthy, vibrant communities,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “Our government is helping to create the economic environment for business to grow and providing targeted assistance for new and diversified sectors.”

The Town of Holyrood is developing and implementing a strategy to guide the area’s ocean technology sector, helping to build on the town’s reputation as a viable place for businesses to conduct oceans-related activities. The town will work with the Marine Institute’s Holyrood Marine Base to further meet the needs of businesses that conduct marine-related testing, training, research and development in the region, and will aim to attract new businesses to the area. The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are each investing $197,900 in the project, while the Town of Holyrood is investing $131,800.

“The ocean has always been central to the history of Holyrood. As we embark on this new chapter in our development, our council, our staff and our Ocean Technology Advisory Board have already begun to lay the groundwork for ocean technology companies to successfully operate in our town. We have excellent working relationships with the Marine Institute, the federal and provincial governments and with the NL ocean technology sector itself. Given the Marine Institute’s growing presence and our shared vision for Holyrood, we will capitalize on this unique opportunity to diversify our regional economy,” said Gary Goobie, Mayor of Holyrood. “Holyrood offers the ocean technology sector an impressive array of advantages for product development, business expansion, education and research.”

In addition, the Holyrood Marina Park Corporation will undertake Phase II of upgrades to the marina. Phase I included the development of 34 additional berths. Phase II will include replacing Pier 2, establishing new floating docks to add four new berths, electrical service upgrades, security fencing and construction of a travel lift basin. The corporation expects total marina capacity to be approximately 150 vessels when the work has been completed. Investments in this project include $170,000 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; $102,000 from the Government of Canada; $178,000 from the Holyrood Marina Park Corporation; and $60,000 from the Town of Holyrood.

“As we move forward with the next phase of development, we will further position the Holyrood Marina as a home port that offers an array of services to local, national and international recreational boaters,” said George Penney, chair of the Holyrood Marina Park Corporation. “The marina is a key way for us to generate revenue, create opportunities for local businesses, and build on our growing tourism industry.”

– 30 –

Media contacts: Doug Burgess, Director Public Affairs, ACOA NL, 709-772-2935

Diana Quinton, Director of Communications, Department of Innovation, Business and Development, 709-729-4570, dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca.