March 20, 2001 For Immediate Release

Eight government officials from Newfoundland and Labrador will be visiting Prince George and Mackenzie this week to gain information on rural and regional economic development.

The delegates - representing the federal government, the Newfoundland government, and municipalities - will be meeting with municipal, provincial, and university officials to better understand the role of communities in implementing strategic economic plans. About a year ago, the Act governing municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador was amended to give communities a direct role in local economic development.

"They have a keen interest in obtaining some direction on what's being done outside of their own province on this issue," says UNBC Geography professor Greg Halseth, who has conducted research on rural economies and resource-dependent communities. "So far, study tours from Newfoundland and Labrador have been as far as Scotland, Sweden, and Kentucky. The goal on each trip has been to learn more about local governments in other areas and their role in economic development."

During this visit, delegates will meet with a number of officials in both Prince George and Mackenzie. Their meetings with the City on Wednesday and Thursday morning will include representatives of Community Futures, City Council, administration, the Community Planning Council, and the Winter Cities Association. At UNBC on Thursday afternoon, the delegation will meet with the Northern Land Use Institute and the Institute for Social Research and Evaluation. On Friday and Saturday, the group will travel to Mackenzie for meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Office, forestry companies, and the Community Interest Committee.