Economy
Economic Zones
(larger version)
The Northern Peninsula is divided into two Economic Development Zones:
Both boards have a volunteer board of directors and dedicated staff who strive to enhance new economic growth on the Northern Peninsula while maintaining our existing economy. The role of the Economic Development Boards is to identify opportunities, plan development for each region, engage funding agencies and create development partnerships in the zone.
The Northern Peninsula has a rather stable economy at the present time.
The main industry sectors are Fishery, Forestry, Tourism, Natural Resources
and Business Development.
- Nordic Economic Development Corporation, Zone Six, which is comprised of 35 coastal communities on the northern half of the peninsula;
- Red Ochre Regional Board, Zone Seven which is comprised of 34 communities on the southern half of the peninsula.
Both boards have a volunteer board of directors and dedicated staff who strive to enhance new economic growth on the Northern Peninsula while maintaining our existing economy. The role of the Economic Development Boards is to identify opportunities, plan development for each region, engage funding agencies and create development partnerships in the zone.
The Northern Peninsula has a rather stable economy at the present time.
The main industry sectors are Fishery, Forestry, Tourism, Natural Resources
and Business Development.
Economic Zone 06 - Nordic Economic Development Corporation
This zone consists of 36 communities on the Great Northern Peninsula from Anchor Point north to St. Anthony and east to Englee. The area has a mixed history of European descendants and boasts the first European settlement in the New World, and UNESCO World Heritage Site at L'Anse aux Meadows, on Newfoundland's northern tip. Traditionally, most of the settlements in this Zone were primarily based on the fishery, with the exception of Roddickton, which focused on the forestry sector.
The area has a distinct connection with Sir Wilfred Grenfell and the International Grenfell Association. The Grenfell Historic Properties are located in St. Anthony, celebrating his legacy and St. Anthony as the headquarters for the Grenfell Mission.
The high employment rate and high rate of employment insurance incidence indicate that much seasonal, short-term work occurs in the area. This would typically be found in areas dependent on fish harvesting and processing as well as tourism, all of which are inheritably seasonal.
The high employment rate and high rate of employment insurance incidence indicate that much seasonal, short-term work occurs in the area. This would typically be found in areas dependent on fish harvesting and processing as well as tourism, all of which are inheritably seasonal.
Economic focus for Zone 6 includes transportation, natural resources, tourism, education and entrepreneurship, the fishery and value-added forestry initiatives. St. Anthony continues to be the service centre for the Zone with Roddickton serving as a sub-regional centre. There are seven gas stations located throughout the Zone as well as 15 fish harvesting and processing related businesses.
There have been many challenges to the region over the past 10 years. However, recently some positive changes have occurred in out-migration patterns, as more people decide to commute to work in other areas and maintain residences in the area. The global economy has created opportunities for local businesses seeking new markets for products. As the region looks forward, its goal is to maintain stability for residents of the Zone.
There have been many challenges to the region over the past 10 years. However, recently some positive changes have occurred in out-migration patterns, as more people decide to commute to work in other areas and maintain residences in the area. The global economy has created opportunities for local businesses seeking new markets for products. As the region looks forward, its goal is to maintain stability for residents of the Zone.
Economic Zone 07 - Red Ochre Regional Board Inc.
This Zone consists of 34 communities, encompassing the southern half of the Great Northern Peninsula from Trout River on the south side of Bonne Bay north to St. Barbe. The communities throughout the Zone are mostly located on coastal lowlands, with the Long Range Mountains as a backdrop. The communities located in the southern quarter of the Zone are surrounded by Gros Morne National Park.
Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Gros Morne National Park is visited by approximately 160,000 visitors per year, stimulating major economic activity throughout the Zone. North of Gros Morne, in Parson's Pond, Nalcor Energy recently announced a major investment in onshore oil and gas exploration, which will provide some economic activity in the near future.
Communities in the northern section of the Zone focus on the fishery, with a large fish plant located in Port au Choix, as well as tourism (Port au Choix Natural Historic Site). The Labrador Straits ferry terminal is also located on the northern section of the Zone (St. Barbe). Today, nineteen gas stations are located throughout the Zone as well as eight fish processing facilities. The scenic fishing communities have developed into tourist attractions, while maintaining some reliability on the fishery (RORB, 2009).
Communities in the northern section of the Zone focus on the fishery, with a large fish plant located in Port au Choix, as well as tourism (Port au Choix Natural Historic Site). The Labrador Straits ferry terminal is also located on the northern section of the Zone (St. Barbe). Today, nineteen gas stations are located throughout the Zone as well as eight fish processing facilities. The scenic fishing communities have developed into tourist attractions, while maintaining some reliability on the fishery (RORB, 2009).
Economic focus for Zone 7 includes tourism (community enhancements/developments, packaging); information technology (high speed Internet); agrifoods (wild berries/ secondary processing); small business; energy projects (oil and gas/mineral exploration); fisheries (lobster development); forestry (non timber/ value added products) and integrated coastal zone management. The Zones economy has traditionally been based on fishing and forestry. However, over the past 20 years, tourism has become a major economic driver.
