4.0 Highlights, Challenges and Achievements of the 5 Sites

This section will provide the background to each of the sites from the evaluator's perspective.

As well, each site analysis should be read in conjunction with the respective social and economic landscape. The Landscapes are a key part of the evaluation of the Bridging the Gap program. They describe the social and economic state of the communities taking part in this phase of the BTG pilot. It does this with the goal of allowing the reader to better understand the broad picture of the social and economic opportunities and issues that exist in the partnering communities.

The landscapes compare information at the community, zonal, and provincial level in order to get at the larger picture. The information is then further divided into 4 headings, drawing upon the analytical framework of the Strategic Social Plan of Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Educated People
• Self–Reliant People
• Prosperous People
• People Living within Sustainable Communities/Zones

In all cases, the latest available statistical information is referenced, which varies from 1996 to 2001. Again, for ease of formatting, these are found in the appendix and should be read at this point.

In addition, each site has a complete report of 1–2 volumes written by the program co–ordinator. For all of the details of the program operation, these are commended to the reader as well.

4.1 Triton

Highlights

The Triton site of Bridging the Gap had many initial hurdles. Originally intended to be a Baie Verte area based project, a potential employment sponsor was engaged and the Baie Verte Development Association had signed on as the partner. However, the terms of the pilot were not satisfactory to the original employment partner and they withdrew. Within days, Jason Roberts of Triton Ocean Products had agreed to take on the project for his new Mussel Processing facility being developed in Roberts Arm. While this was not technically within the geographic jurisdiction of the Baie Verte Development Association (BVDA), they still considered it within their economic development mandate (within the overall zone) and were delighted to work with a new company.

The highlight of this project was, without a doubt, the field trip to the Boston Seafood Show. All the participants, the project co–ordinator and several other stakeholders traveled to Boston to attend the Show and to staff the booth of Triton Ocean Products. There was a lot of teamwork required to bring together the logistics and the funding for the trip, but for many of the participants it was their "trip of a life time" where they explored over 1,000 other booths and received an excellent overall view of the seafood processing industry and the competition of Triton Ocean Products.