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Regional Overview |
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Baie Verte - Grand Falls-Windsor - Harbour Breton Rural Secretariat region, known as Central West, includes the Baie Verte Peninsula, Green Bay, and Exploits Valley stretching along the northern coastline from Botwood to Fortune Harbour. The region extends through the interior of the province, reaching as far as the Buchans area, and concludes on the southern coast bound by the Connaigre Peninsula, Bay D’Espoir area and Fortune Bay North.
Central West, 33180 square kilometres is the largest geographic Rural Secretariat region on the island portion of the province. The 2001 population, is 51, 265 with 9,410 of these being school aged children, 5 to 18. There are 81 communities in Central West; 41% of the population, about 20,900, live in towns and areas of less than 1000 people, while 26% of the population, 13,300, live in one town with a population over 5,000 people. This town, Grand Falls-Windsor celebrated its 100 anniversary in 2005. There are eight other communities of over 1000 population, 2001 Census: Springdale, Botwood, Harbour Breton, St. Alban’s, Baie Verte, La Scie, Triton, and Bishop’s Falls.
Following an open nomination process, a Regional Council was established. This consists of 16 individuals of varying backgrounds and interest in economic, social, cultural, and environmental outlooks. Council members live within the region, coming from both larger and smaller communities. Debbie Armstrong is the Chairperson and David Hayashida is the Vice-chairperson. The Provincial representative, Danny Huxter is Central West’s member on the Rural Secretariat’s Provincial Council, with Tracey Perry being the Provincial alternative.
Central West Regional Council, established in August 2005, meets four to five times annually. The Council is supported by a Regional Partnership Planner, Linda Brett, and the regional office is co-located with the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development and Department of Justice as well as Business Development Corporation - Emerald and the regional economic development board, Emerald Zone Corporation at 4 Juniper Road, Springdale.
The Central West Region, majestic in size and bountiful in resources, has sustained residents for generations. Opportunities avail and have furnished livelihoods reflecting native ingenuity and hard work. Examples extend from the expansive coastline which yields traditional harvests of groundfish, pelagic and shell fish, with mussel and salmonid aquaculture; large expanses of land-bearing hardwood and softwood forests, with rich soils producing harvests of vegetables along with berry yields to land-holding precious minerals and base metals awaiting to be discovered.
Leading primary industry, Grand Falls-Windsor, home of a large paper mill, has developed a technological expertise with the emergence of the Excite Center and Helpdesk Now. Along with Bishop’s Falls becoming a manufacturing center for firms such as NL Styro Inc., Hi-Pont Industries and Island R.V. Parts and Services, there is a cluster of boat builders which provide a high level of experience and skill- making products for both the national and international markets.
Ice Berg Alley sweeps past the northern coastline bringing massive ice bergs southward each spring. Along with the displays of ice, boaters throughout the year can witness up to 24 species of whales migrating along the shoreline. The Region hosts a giant squid replica in Glover’s Harbour, an Arts and Exploration Center at highway junction 360 and 361 just outside of Milltown and Head Bay d’Espoir, and a Miner’s Museum in Baie Verte.
Much of the area, considered rural and remote, takes the visitor back in time. McCallum, Rencontre East and Gaultois are accessible only by boat. These communities remind one of how our grandfathers lived. National standard hiking trails can be found throughout the region, Lighthouse Trail in Westport and the Alexander Murray Trail in King’s Point to name a few.
This land has been inhabited over 4,500 years. The Maritime Archaic Indians were the first, followed by the Paleo-Dorset Eskimo and later Beothuck Indians. Fleur de Lys hosts an Interpretation Center displaying the first two cultures. At this site, visitors can walk to an orginal Dorset soapstone quarry. In Grand Falls-Windsor, the Mary March Museum depicts Beothuck culture. Samiajij Miawpukek (Conne River) is the only Mi'kmaw community in Newfoundland Labrador. Here one can listen to the Mi’Kmaw language and see traditional bead work and birch bark products being crafted. Powwow, a traditional and spiritual celebration, is held each July.
Baie Verte – Grand Falls-Windsor – Harbour Breton Region has much to offer. Working together, region and government, people are striving to enhance these experiences.
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Council
