Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool.
One of its most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your next project is just a click away. Here’s one:
The opportunity
As industries and economies around the world strive to take more environmentally sustainable or green approaches to their development and operations, there is new potential for regional development in Newfoundland and Labrador.
While more efficient and clean industries have environmental benefits, they can also produce economic and social benefits for the communities and regions in which they operate.
The Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce hopes there is potential for more green industrial development within their region, which spans 49 communities in Western Newfoundland. Stephenville is the major business centre in the area, and the town is currently planning a revitalization of its local industrial park.
“Our chamber aims to promote and improve trade and commerce in our region which will contribute to overall improvements in the socioeconomic status of our communities,” said Tom Rose, president, Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce.
“As we are planning future developments, we want to consider how to do so in the most environmentally conscious way possible, so as to attract existing industry and inspire entrepreneurs to set up in our region.”
Mr. Rose believes the Bay St. George region is an ideal location for businesses to develop, as it already has necessary infrastructure, such as an airport, seaport, industrial zones and educational institutions, in addition to an opportune landscape and available workforce.
“We want to be a leader in our region to show that green technologies, manufacturing, energy production, or other sustainable industries are the way of the future to help grow our economy and to attract and retain business”
As the Town of Stephenville updates its industrial landscape, environmental considerations are top of mind.
“We want to be a leader in our region to show that green technologies, manufacturing, energy production, or other sustainable industries are the way of the future to help grow our economy and to attract and retain business.”
The project
Members of the chamber would like to see a research project to help plan the best way to create an environmentally sustainable and beneficial industrial park in Stephenville, which could service the Bay St. George region as a whole.
The project could examine what projects and developments are already happening in the region, how suitable the current assets are for supporting green industrial development and how to incorporate possible future industries in existing and upcoming development plans.
“We have a lot to offer the world here in Bay St. George.”
Research is also needed into which sustainable industries and specific provincial, national or international companies are looking to expand, and what could attract them to do so in the Bay St. George region. The findings could also outline specific opportunities for smaller local businesses, which could motivate entrepreneurs.
“We have a lot to offer the world here in Bay St. George,” said Mr. Rose. “Environmentally conscious and sustainable businesses also have the potential to offer a lot to our communities as well, and we are ready to welcome them.”
Find out more about this project here.
The Harris Centre’s co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization can also tell you more. Email Amy Jones or call her at 709-864-6115.
