New social enterprise greenhouse will generate economic and social benefits
St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Supporting social enterprise and clean technology helps create new jobs, strengthens and diversifies our communities and fosters environmental sustainability.
The Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) is establishing a year-round social enterprise greenhouse that will use clean technology to produce sustainable food products, as well as provide skills training and new employment opportunities for people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ASNL will build a new greenhouse that will operate from natural sunlight during the standard growing season and generate heat and light using solar photovoltaic modules during winter. The greenhouse will be built on site at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism and will enable ASNL to produce larger volumes of healthy food to be used at its social enterprise restaurant – the Pantry Café & Catering.
This initiative will also create two full-time and four seasonal jobs for individuals with ASD and one other full-time position. The greenhouse will become an important addition to the society’s social enterprise skills and employment program, Good Roots Gardening, and improve the organization’s overall long-term sustainability.
That is why the Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $60,000 and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $50,785 to the project.
Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), made the announcement today.
These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to create opportunities for all Atlantic Canadians. This includes investments that support its Innovation and Skills Plan to build a better Canada where everyone has the jobs, skills and learning to strengthen communities and grow the economy.
Source : Government Of Canada