Advancing the Oceans Sector in Holyrood
News release
Support for the Town of Holyrood will help diversify its economy
December 20, 2018 – Holyrood, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The oceans sector is a key economic driver in Atlantic Canada. It is generating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, diversifying communities and creating good paying jobs for the middle class. That is why the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are helping the Town of Holyrood to further develop its oceans sector and become a leading oceans innovation hub in the Atlantic region.
Support from the federal and provincial 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. This includes attending oceans-related trade shows and conferences, developing an OHI website, promotional materials and pop-up banners, as well as creating a social media strategy and an interactive business map.
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 (ACOA), and Betty Parsley, MHA for Harbour Main, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), 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 TCII's 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 the region 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.
"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."
- The 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
"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."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
"This is a great day for the Town of Holyrood. I am proud to say that past investments by our government has 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 of Service NL and MHA of 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 the Department of 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."
- His Worship Gary Goobie, Mayor, Town of Holyrood
