"Business effects are expected
to be felt strongest in the Upper Lake Melville area... expecting
to cause immigration of businesses ... the Upper Lake Melville
region will receive about 27% of the economic activity, the
majority of which will be felt in Happy Valley-Goose Bay..".
In addition,
Labrador has vast areas of unexplored territory and the Town
is well positioned to be a logistics and supply centre for continued
mineral exploration.
Hydro-electric
Power Development
The Lower Churchill Hydro
Project
The Lower Churchill
River is one of the largest remaining hydro-electric resources
on the continent, with a capacity of around 3,000 megawatts.
An analysis is underway to develop a 2,000 megawatt generating
station at Gull Island (approximately 80 km west of Happy Valley-Goose
Bay) and an 800 megawatt development at Muskrat Falls (about
30 km west of Happy Valley-Goose Bay). . When these projects
proceed, the development, along with construction of the necessary
transmission lines, will generate significant business and employment
impacts on Happy Valley-Goose Bay. A decision to proceed will
initiate a major upsurge in activity in the region and the opportunities
for Happy Valley-Goose Bay businesses are nearly unlimited.
Environmental Benefits of
Churchill Hydro Development
In the context of the recent Kyoto decision, the reduction of
greenhouse gases has become an important global issue. In agreeing
with the Kyoto protocol, Canada accepted the target of reducing
its emissions to an average of 6 per cent below 1990 levels
by the 2008-2012 time frame. The Churchill Hydro projects will
significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will make
a substantial contribution toward meeting this target. The hydro
developments on the Churchill River system in Labrador offer
the single largest block of achievable greenhouse gas emission
reductions in Canada, and could account for up to 15 per cent
of Canada's Kyoto commitment. The greenhouse gas emissions reductions
associated with the Churchill River developments in Labrador
will range between 13 million tons annually compared to gas,
to 22 million tons annually, compared to coal.
Forestry Resources
There is an
estimated 3.6 million hectares of forested area in Labrador,
including large timber stands on the south side of Churchill
River from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. A succession of operators
have proposed commercial harvesting and processing operations
and some exporting of raw and semi-processed material has occurred.
Potential is high for future development, particularly of value-added
wood products.
The development of a forest management plan that will give long
term direction to the industry is in the development stages
and we look forward to a very bright, constructive and responsible
future for the forestry industry in Labrador.
Tourism
Labrador has
a wealth of world class wilderness resources and a diverse cultural
heritage. The allure of this land and its people has produced
an encouraging response from travel markets in a regional industry
that is still in its infancy. As a central entry point to Labrador,
we, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, are excited about the potential
for developing more tourism products and hosting visitors in
increasing numbers during both winter and summer.
Each year is seeing an increased level of activity in the Tourism
industry. With the upgraded Trans Labrador Highway being a key
attraction in itself. No other area of business presents itself
as many opportunities as the tourism industry in Labrador.
Our Business
Climate
Happy Valley-Goose
Bay is a "business-friendly" town, ready to accommodate
new business and development proposals. This attitude is supported
by a number of resources, including the following:
High Quality Municipal Services
- water, sewage and a municipal planning and development control
program which will give you fast, efficient service.
Available High Quality Infrastructure - buildings along with
serviced commercial, industrial and residential land and utilities.
Business Services - a range of public advisory and financial
assistance programs, private consultants and the Labrador North
Chamber of Commerce.
Incentives - A low manufacturing tax, competitive property costs
and human resource training programs.
Local Entrepreneurs - Eager to form strategic alliances
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