Premium Seafoods Expands Plant

A fish plant in Arichat is expanding its storage capacity with help from the federal and provincial governments.

The $350,000 project at Premium Seafoods Ltd. will create 10 jobs in Richmond County and enable the company to sell fish products to European markets. Premium Seafoods today employs 50 people and exports fish to the United States and throughout the Maritimes.

"The expansion of our cold-storage facility will give us the opportunity to pack a variety of seafood," said Edgar Samson, president of Premium Seafoods. "The increased capacity will also reduce our operating costs and enable us to export our products overseas."

The federal and provincial governments will contribute a total of $219,539 toward the project. Human Resources Development Canada, through the Transitional Jobs Fund, will provide $175,000. Nova Scotia, through Economic Development and Tourism, will invest $44,539. Private sector investment will account for $130,461.

The project will maintain the existing employment and create nine full-time jobs and one part-time job in fish processing. Another 13 jobs will be created during construction of the project.

"Supporting projects like this is an example of the government of Canada's commitment to building employment opportunities and improving the viability of industries that are important to the province's economy," said Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

"Our investment in Premium Seafoods is helping the company increase and diversify its exports," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "That's important. Increased exports mean new jobs and a growing economy for Nova Scotians. It's only by growing our economy that we'll be able to preserve our health care, education and social programs."

The Transitional Jobs Fund promotes economic growth and employment in areas of high unemployment. The fund helps regions throughout Canada to develop long-term, sustainable employment in sectors that have good prospects for future growth. It is designed to encourage partnerships with other levels of government, the private sector and community groups. Projects should be consistent with regional economic development strategies.