Big data means big ideas for Northeast Avalon economic development

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2021

St. John’s, NL – Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) and municipalities in the Northeast Avalon region are excited to reach another milestone in their continuing efforts to use big data to further economic development strategies.

Through the ‘Big Data, Big Ideas’ project, the Cities of Mount Pearl and St. John’s, as well as the Towns of Conception Bay South, Paradise, Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s, and Torbay, collaborated to obtain rich, new data that will inform their economic development efforts. The project was facilitated by MNL and funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. It included funding contributions from all six municipalities.

The Northeast Avalon was the first region to partner with MNL on this innovative approach, working with Memorial University’s Regional Analytics Laboratory (RAnLab) on deep dives into demographic and economic shifts within each municipality and across the entire region. Five other regions across the province are currently finalizing their own work with MNL and RAnLab.

A Northeast Avalon regional report as well as individual municipal reports are now available on the MNL website, as well as on the participating municipalities’ websites. These profiles show the nature of the regional and municipal economies. They provide insight into demographic projections, demand for services, income projections, employment and industry trends, as well as the nature of the economic connections between the communities. These information products provide localized data that municipalities, the business community, and other stakeholders can use in planning and decision making.

“A deeper understanding of the future of our communities is invaluable for businesses, policy makers and all community leaders,” said Craig Pollett, MNL CEO. “This work is a great benefit to municipal governments and their partners across the region. We are pleased to be able to play a role in making it possible.”

In addition to using the reports and data points for internal planning, the municipalities plan to partner with MNL on a virtual session with stakeholders to help them understand the importance of the issues and trends identified during this work.

Big Data: Big Idea reports can be accessed here.

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Deatra Walsh
Director of Advocacy and Communications