The Harris Centre recently hosted a workshop in Carbonear, inviting those living in the broader Baccalieu Region to share their vision and ideas for a thriving region.

In general, the 50+ participants expressed their belief that the Baccalieu Trail region has plenty of existing assets and great potential. They identified the following three priority areas:

Tourism & Culture:
Given proximity to major population centres and transportation hubs, the region seems primed to take the next step in developing its tourism industry. Among the assets identified that something could be built around include:
• Nature infrastructure (walking trails, recycling, cycling/biking trails, kayaking & boating, outdoor winter activities);
• Entertainment (theatre, dinner theatre, live music);
• Emerging local food production (food, culture, entertainment); and
• Historic value of area and associated unique experiences.
Infrastructure & Accessibility:
Much of what we envision for a thriving region is dependent upon the ability to connect people with businesses, places and each other. For rural areas, connection and accessibility can be a challenge given physical (including roads and public transit) and communication infrastructure limitations. As workshop participants observed, there are still too many places in the region where cell phone service is limited or non-existent.
Innovation & Business Development:
There is plenty of interest in and perceived opportunities for innovation within the region. Some of this could be around more “traditional” forms of business development (new industry and manufacturing) and also building upon emerging developments in health care innovation and local tourism. Workshop participants expressed particular interest in exploring opportunities in sectors referred to as “the green economy” (e.g., local food production, value-add products for waste streams, clean energy development, etc.).

The Harris Centre invites interested researchers to submit proposals related to either of these three areas.

Do you have ideas for exploring specific opportunities, strategies and next steps that could move the region forward in realizing its tourism potential? Do you have ideas for exploring innovative opportunities and cost-effective strategies for how the region could enhance its communication and transportation infrastructures? Do you have ideas for exploring and advancing innovation for business development that takes advantage of the region’s current or emerging assets?

This research opportunity aims to benefit both the researcher and the community: successful applicants will be provided $15,000 in funding and will work with the community to address their priorities.

This project is part of the Harris Centre’s Thriving Regions Partnership Process.

For more information on the fund, click here.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 15th.

Apply Now!

For help with applications or for any other information, contact Chris Paterson at cpaterson13@mun.ca