FOGO ISLAND, NL – The Fogo Island Economic Development Partnership (EDP) is now officially a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the economic development of the island community.
The EDP begins to serve the island as it celebrates the 50th anniversaries of the Fogo Island Fisheries Co-op and the Fogo Process, as well as Canada’s 150th birthday.
Nadine Decker has been appointed economic development officer, working under the direction of a board of directors composed of community members. Decker is a Fogo Islander and a successful small business owner who has extensive experience in economic, social and regional development. The EDP office is located at 98 Iceberg Arena Road, Centre Island.
The partnership was initiated in July 2015 by an agreement between the Town of Fogo Island, the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited, and Shorefast Foundation to promote the creation of jobs through the start-up and expansion of small and medium-sized businesses, which complement the natural, cultural and other place-based assets of Fogo Island.
“This new organization, supported and funded by the three founding partners, follows in the footsteps of many innovative firsts on Fogo Island,” said Mayor Andrew Shea, speaking on behalf of the partnership. “The EDP holds the exciting promise of making significant progress in diversifying our Island economy to complement our traditional fishing industry and our more recent and internationally acclaimed geo-tourism sector.”
Source: The Pilot