New Funds for N.L. Feed Grains Society

STEPHENVILLE, N.L. — In another round of economic stimulus from the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Feds are providing $400,000 to upgrade the Newfoundland Feed Grains Society facility in Stephenville. The funding comes from the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF).

The announcement was made Monday by Senator Ethel Cochrane on behalf of Keith Ashfield, minister of National Revenue, minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “The CAF program is specifically designed to help communities build through the current economic downturn by seizing new and sustainable development opportunities,” said Senator Cochrane. “This project has significant support from the farming industry and is expected to have a positive and lasting impact on the Stephenville area. [It] will help generate immediate local economic activity by supporting direct and indirect employment opportunities during the installation of the new equipment.”

The newly modernized building will allow the Society to improve on its operational efficiency, with upgrades focusing on the installation of new storage tanks and a ship unloader and conveyor system. The equipment and process improvements will enhance quality control of the stored grains, will minimize the risks of spoilage that can be caused by moisture being absorbed by the grains during the unloading process and will increase the capacity and efficiency of operations.

The Newfoundland Feed Grains Society Inc. was incorporated in July, 1999, as a not-for-profit corporation to promote the development of the grain elevator facilities in Stephenville and the economic interests of all the members by using their united efforts to procure, transport, store, process and distribute grains, corn, soya and all forms of livestock feeds. The members are engaged in the dairy and poultry industries.