The Honourable Paul Pike, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement, today announced over $4.7 million for 151 rural projects under the first round of the 2025-26 Community Enhancement Employment Program.
The projects directly support community and municipal infrastructure upgrades, service enhancements, and tourism activity support. In addition, projects will provide employment for individuals in rural areas for up to 400 hours to assist with their eligibility for federal Employment Insurance benefits.
Municipalities, Inuit Community Governments, Local Service Districts, community and economic development organizations and other non-profit organizations were eligible to begin applying for the Community Enhancement Employment Program on May 26, 2025.
For a complete list of the first round of 2025-26 Community Enhancement Employment Program approved projects, the backgrounder can be found below.
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“As a government, we are continuing to build viable, sustainable communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Through this first round of the 2025-26 Community Enhancement Employment Program, we are investing over $4.7 million for a total of 151 community-based projects. This represents an investment in the vitality of our rural communities and their residents, fostering stronger connections, improved services, and short-term employment opportunities for individuals.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement
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Learn more
Community Enhancement Employment Program Applications Now Open – News Releases
Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
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BACKGROUNDER
First Round of Recipients and Projects of the Community Enhancement Employment Program
| Applicant | Project | Funding |
| Town of Chapel Arm | Community Upgrades | $20,000.00 |
| Town Council of Rushoon | Rushoon Community Centre Kitchen Upgrades | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Grand Le Pierre | Town Hall Repairs | $33,000.00 |
| Town Council of Parker’s Cove | Community Building Improvements | $19,114.00 |
| Town Council of Terrenceville | Baseball Field Upgrades | $20,000.00 |
| Town Council of Normans Cove-Long Cove | Community Upgrades | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Southern Harbour | Building/Community Upgrades | $15,000.00 |
| Town Council of Marystown Recreation | Construction and Upgrades to Town’s Facilities | $40,000.00 |
| Town of Long Harbour and Mount Arlington Heights | Municipal Building Renovation | $10,000.00 |
| Placentia West Heritage Committee Inc. | Fall Maintenance and Cultural Tourism Activity Support | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Chance Cove | Enhance Community Infrastructure | $20,000.00 |
| Boat Harbour Recreation | Community Centre Upgrades 2025-26 | $15,000.00 |
| Town Council of Baytona | Baytona Community Park Revitalization | $20,622.60 |
| Town of Summerford | Community Enhancement to Ensure Sustainability | $80,028.00 |
| Town of Cottlesville | Community Upgrades and Enhancements | $114,009.12 |
| Recreation Committee of Virgin Arm, Carter’s Cove, Parkview Inc. | Community Centre Repairs and Upgrades | $49,248.00 |
| Local Service District of Fairbanks/Hillgrade | Repair Walking Trail and Parking Lot | $52,633.80 |
| Brown’s Arm Recreation Committee Inc. | Nature Trail and ATV Trail Upgrades | $39,398.40 |
| Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle | Church Refresh | $10,342.08 |
| Town of Birchy Bay | Trail and Council Chambers Enhancement | $43,092.00 |
| Local Service District of Brown’s Arm | Community Hall and Fire Hall Improvements | $19,699.20 |
| Town of Comfort Cove-Newstead | Connect two Boardwalks | $24,624.00 |
| Renews Cappahayden Community Council | Supporting Community | $66,759.50 |
| Town of Trepassey | Community Enhancement Employment Program 2025-26 | $50,852.40 |
| Town Council of Cape Broyle | Community Improvements | $24,624.00 |
| Town Council of Bay Bulls | New Tourism Information Centre | $5,540.10 |
| Town of Nipper’s Harbour | Town Facilities Upgrades and Trail Repairs | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Woodstock | Tables and Benches | $18,000.00 |
| Town of Springdale | Walking Trail and Park Repairs | $43,000.00 |
| Town of Baie Verte | BV Marina | $43,000.00 |
| Town of La Scie | Building of Storage Shed | $32,000.00 |
| Town of Triton | Town of Triton Community Enhancement 2025-26 | $37,000.00 |
| Town of King’s Point | Completion of Bathroom at Community Rink/Fence for Cenotaph | $43,000.00 |
| Town of Fleur De Lys | Trails of Fleur De Lys Upgrade | $32,000.00 |
| Town of Miles Cove | Community Enhancements | $39,000.00 |
| Local Service District of Smith’s Harbour | Play Park Upgrades | $18,000.00 |
| Town of Middle Arm | Pumphouse Enclosure #4 | $38,000.00 |
| Town of Ming’s Bight | Phase 2: Enhancement to Town Hall/Town Lookout and Park | $38,000.00 |
| Local Service District of Jackson’s Cove, Langdon’s Cove, Silverdale | Community Repairs | $38,000.00 |
| Town of Brighton | Town Enhancements | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Lushes Bight – Beaumont – Beaumont North | Disassemble Portable Classroom Units | $11,622.00 |
| Town of Change Islands | Community Improvements | $35,000.00 |
| Town of Carmanville | Community Garden Accessibility | $17,000.00 |
| Town of Lumsden | Lumsden Community Enhancement Project | $17,000.00 |
| The Cape Freels Development Association | Community Enhancement Employment Program Project 2025-26 | $183,160.00 |
| Town of Dover | Storage Room/Memorial Sites | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Fogo Island | Trails and Community | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Meadows | Repairs to Town Building | $34,500.00 |
| Town of McIvers | Community Improvement | $8,373.00 |
| Town of Mount Moriah | Renovations Town Office | $25,000.00 |
| Town of Lark Harbour | Town Facility Improvements | $31,733.00 |
| Town of Humber Arm South | Community Improvement Project | $58,000.00 |
| Town of York Harbour | Town Hall Improvements | $30,000.00 |
| Town of St. Mary’s | Maintenance of the Ballfield and First Falls Park and Trails | $24,624.00 |
| Town of Branch | Branch Pumphouse Enhancement | $25,000.00 |
| St. Mary’s Bay North Regional Development Association | Community Build | $53,803.48 |
| Dermot Lee Memorial Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 62 | Museum and Legion Enhancement | $24,624.00 |
| Local Service District of New Harbour | Park Trail Restoration and Phase 1 of Interpretation Center Building Restoration | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Riverhead | Riverhead Community Walking Trail | $20,000.00 |
| Town of St. Vincent’s-St. Stephen’s-Peter’s River | Whale Watching Boardwalk | $20,971.01 |
| Town Council Gaskiers – Point La Haye | Tourism and Development | $28,085.69 |
| Placentia Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 33 | Placentia Legion – Branch 33 Enhancement Project | $42,137.82 |
| Benoit First Nation Inc. | Community Enhancements | $27,812.00 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Parish | Parish Hall/Community Centre/Church Repairs | $40,629.60 |
| Three Rock Cove Recreation Inc. | Community Enhancement Employment Program 2025-26 | $40,629.00 |
| Association régionale de la côte Ouest Inc. | Infrastructure Improvement in Francophone Communities | $27,812.00 |
| Town of Sandringham | Town Upgrades | $27,550.00 |
| Local Service District of Hodge’s Cove | Special Project | $45,550.00 |
| Long Beach Boat Basin and Recreation Inc. | Sheds of Long Beach | $24,550.00 |
| Town of Channel-Port aux Basques | Cultural Restoration | $41,557.00 |
| Town of Ramea | Walking Trail Upgrading | $10,000.00 |
| Burnt Islands Economic Development Board | Community Improvements | $15,000.00 |
| Town of Burgeo | Arena Upgrade and Maintenance | $20,000.00 |
| Grey River Recreation Association | Repair and Reconstruct | $10,000.00 |
| Town of Point Leamington | Town Beautification | $49,248.00 |
| Town of Leading Tickles | Oceanview Park Upgrades | $19,699.20 |
| Marysvale-Georgetown Small Harbour Committee Inc. | Re-establish and Revitalize Marysvale Harbour Inlet Waterways | $45,479.40 |
| Town of Conception Harbour | Marina Improvement and Enhancement Development of Facility | $40,629.60 |
| Nain Inuit Community Government | Nain Community Enhancement Employment Program Project | $50,090.00 |
| Saltwater Community Association Inc. | Breaking Barriers | $30,000.00 |
| Sir William F Coaker Heritage Foundation Inc. | Port Union Winter 2025 | $36,000.00 |
| Peaches Cove-Green Bay Development Inc. | Peaches Cove – Green Bay Walking Trail and Multi-Purpose Trail | $20,000.00 |
| Elliston Town Council | Upgrades to Elliston Anglican Church | $20,000.00 |
| Municipality of Trinity Bay North | Municipal Improvements | $84,000.00 |
| Town of Bonavista | Fish Flakes Repair and Restoration | $80,000.00 |
| Community Connection Inc. | The Sea Arch Trail | $10,000.00 |
| Matthew Legacy Inc. | Gift Store and Museum Renovations | $15,965.00 |
| Town of Point au Gaul | Town Upgrades | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Lamaline | Lamaline Community Center and Town Building Renos | $15,000.00 |
| Town of Grand Bank | Community Improvements and Trail Restoration 2025 | $20,000.00 |
| Town of St. Bernard’s – Jacques Fontaine | Upgrades – Walkway, Ballfield, Multi-purpose Rink and Town Garage | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Fortune | Municipal Enhancement 2025 | $20,000.00 |
| Bay L’Argent Town Council | 2025 Town Hall Maintenance | $25,000.00 |
| Town of Lawn | Museum Repairs | $20,000.00 |
| Burin Heritage Tourism Association Inc. | Museum Improvements | $8,242.00 |
| Town of Point May | Town Hall, Community Center Upgrades | $15,000.00 |
| Town of Lewin’s Cove | Gazebo and Green Area | $20,000.00 |
| Town of St. Lawrence | Community Enhancement Project | $30,000.00 |
| Grand Bank Heritage Society Inc. | George C. Harris House Maintenance | $15,000.00 |
| Town of Little Bay East | Town Upgrades and Beautification | $25,000.00 |
| Fox Cove – Mortier Town Council | Town’s Improvements | $20,000.00 |
| Fortune Recreation Commission | General Labour | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Burin | Burin Celebrates 2025 | $25,000.00 |
| Town of Hant’s Harbour | Beautification and Enhancements of Town Sites | $25,371.00 |
| Baccalieu Island Interpretation Centre, Baccalieu View Walking Trail Inc. |
Baccalieu Walking Trail Preserving History, Access to Berry Picking Grounds | $25,371.00 |
| McCarthy Council Association Inc. | Repairs to Main Building and Camp Bathroom Extension | $25,371.00 |
| Town of Victoria | Newfoundland Pony and Newfoundland Dog Museum Phase 1 | $25,371.00 |
| Heart’s Delight – Islington Recreation Committee | Ball Field | $25,371.00 |
| Town of Salmon Cove | Community Beautification Project | $25,371.00 |
| Bay De Verde Town Council | Town Buildings Upkeep | $25,371.00 |
| Town of Small Point to Adam’s Cove | Community Enhancement – Enhancing Trails and Recreation Areas in Town | $25,371.00 |
| Local Service District of Black Tickle/Domino | New Graveyard Fence Makeover | $72,394.00 |
| Port Hope Simpson Town Council | 2025-2026 Community Enhancement Employment Program | $27,000.00 |
| Town of Charlottetown (Labrador) | Carpentry and Interior Labour Community Projects | $6,000.00 |
| Town of Wabana | Construction of 10 Picnic Tables | $6,954.00 |
| Tourism Bell Island | Upgrading Assets | $18,000.00 |
| Town of Seal Cove – Fortune Bay | Community Centre Renovations | $19,699.20 |
| Town of Hermitage-Sandyville | Harbour View Lookout | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Harbour Breton | Gun Hill and Festival Grounds | $35,000.00 |
| Town of Pool’s Cove | Pool’s Cove Community Enhancement Employment Program 2025-26 | $21,739.80 |
| Town of Gaultois | Repairing and/or replacing garbage boxes in the community | $19,000.00 |
| Rencontre East Community Council | Community Walking Path Development Project | $25,000.00 |
| Town of Milltown – Head of Bay d’ Espoir | Community Enhancement and Beautification | $23,000.00 |
| Town of St. Alban’s | Community Revitalization Project | $25,000.00 |
| Town of Gambo | Town Beautification | $19,699.20 |
| James Hornell Boys and Girls Club | Building Maintenance | $20,000.00 |
| Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association | Corduroy Brook Project 2025-26 | $23,000.00 |
| Badger Town Council | Community Beautification Project | $25,000.00 |
| St. Joseph’s Management Committee | St. Joseph’s Community Hall Enhancement Project | $25,000.00 |
| Exploits Valley YMCA | Revitalization of the Community Centre | $10,000.00 |
| Masonic Lodge McLeod #27 | Building Enhancement | $16,745.00 |
| Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 22 | Building Renovations & Repairs | $10,000.00 |
| Spaniards Bay-Tilton Town Council | Recreation Enhancement | $10,000.00 |
| Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 32 | Boardwalk – Marina Repairs | $10,000.00 |
| Town of Harbour Grace | Parsons/Collis Building Restoration | $10,000.00 |
| Cormack Recreation Commission | Community Recreation Enhancement and Seasonal Event Support | $13,000.00 |
| Town of Howley | Community Enhancement | $20,000.00 |
| Town of Rocky Harbour | Arena and Town Hall Renovations and Upgrades | $16,000.00 |
| White Bay South Development Association Inc. | Renovations to the WBSDA and Community Buildings | $46,000.00 |
| Town of Hampden | Enhancements to Town Buildings | $60,000.00 |
| Town of Reidville | Community Grounds Enhancements | $16,000.00 |
| Central Development Association | Community Enhancement 2025-2026 | $100,000.00 |
| Jackson’s Arm Town Council | Community Enhancement Employment Program | $52,706.00 |
| Town Council of St Lunaire-Griquet | Town Hall Renovations | $30,500.00 |
| Englee Town Council | Town of Englee 2025-2026 | $90,000.00 |
| The Straits Rural Development Association | Various Community Upgrades | $84,768.00 |
| St. Barbe Development Association | Community Environment and Infrastructure Enhancements | $42,000.00 |
| Main Brook Town Council | Town Council Office Renovation | $27,500.00 |
| Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm | Community Enhancement Employment Program 2025 | $63,768.00 |
| Torrent River Development Corporation Inc. | Upgrades – Washroom, Bridge at Nature Park | $83,268.00 |
| Town Council of Conche | Municipal Building Renovations | $19,500.00 |
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