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News Release
For immediate release
October 24, 2003
Louisbourg Seafoods Receives Government of Canada Assistance for
Market Development Plan
Louisbourg, N.S. – The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State
responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), today announced funding for a
market development plan for Louisbourg Seafoods Limited in Louisbourg N.S.
The main elements of the plan include the identification of emerging
fisheries and working with export customers to develop markets for
underutilized seafood species such as rock crab, green crab, red crab, sea
cucumber, toad crab, oyster, sea urchin and eel. Successful market
development is expected to create a minimum of four new jobs while
maintaining the 80 current positions at the plant.
“This announcement is being made during Small Business Week when we pay
tribute to the significant contribution that small business owners make to
our economy,” said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d’Or-Cape
Breton, on behalf of Minister Byrne. “In Atlantic Canada, small business is
the principal source of job creation and the Government of Canada is pleased
to assist small business owners achieve their goals. Louisbourg Seafoods’
proactive marketing activities will lead to increased profitability and
enhanced job opportunities for local workers.”
The total cost of the project is expected to be more than $115,490. Through
the ACOA Business Development Program, Louisbourg Seafoods will receive a
repayable contribution of $70,000.
“Product diversification and new markets are not only key to the
sustainability of our company, but to the livelihood of local fishermen,”
says James Kennedy, owner-operator of Louisbourg Seafoods. “ECBC’s support
for this initiative helps us to create a more secure future for our workers
and suppliers.”
Louisbourg Seafoods Limited is a 100 per cent Cape Breton-owned company
founded in 1984. It is the largest processor of snow crab and groundfish on
Cape Breton Island. The company is committed to sustainable community and
resource development.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic
development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on
Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.
The Business Development Program provides small to medium sized enterprises
access to capital in the form of interest-free, unsecured repayable
contributions.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ralph Meechan
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of State
Tel: (613) 941-7241
Office of Rodger Cuzner, MP
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763
Mary Ann MacCormick
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-7269
James Kennedy
Louisbourg Seafoods Limited
Tel: (902) 733-2079
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