D.W.Knight Associates - Economic Development.

D.W.Knight Associates - enlightened direction.

We help communities, organizations and companies develop viable ideas for new development. We believe that, for the outcome to be successful, the client must be actively involved throughout the process. Our role is to support with facilitation, advice and our research, organizational and writing skills. Since 1984, we have developed experience in the following key areas:

market research, feasibility studies and new business plans
strategic plans
social/economic analyses
public consultation

Dennis Knight, President of the company, has had over twenty-five years of professional experience as an Economic Development and Planning Practitioner in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Ontario.

Besides extensive experience in both Tourism and Cultural/Arts Industries and Community Planning, the company's project experience is extensive.

Warehousing, Freight Forwarding and Trucking ventures related to the Trans-Labrador Highway, Argentia Ferry Service and the Port of Botwood.
Retail Market Research, eg. for the Town of Gander Retail Trade Area
Specialty Food Products, analysing specialty food markets and new venture opportunities. Clients have included the Labrador Straits Chamber of Commerce, Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, Applied Preservation Technologies Inc, Foteau Fine Foods Ltd, Evernew Tea Inc and the Great Labrador Company.
Other opportunities Include:

import replacement opportunities for the province (for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - ACOA)
a commercial solvent and degreaser
an integrated sawmill operation
fish by-products (composting and animal feeds)

Funding and Investment Proposals prepared for a range of development opportunities. Clients have included: Innovative Project Concepts Ltd, Woody Island Resorts Ltd, North Atlantic Aviation Museum and the Council of Conne River Mi'kmaqs.

Economic Development Plans, clients have included the Town of Holyrood, the Trinity Bay South Region, the Town of Ramea and tourism organizations for the Bonavista Peninsula, Bay St. George, Labrador Straits and the Connaigre Peninsula.

Management Plans, clients have included the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Avalon Community College, Labrador Craft Industry, the Daybreak Parent/Child Centre, the Cultural Affairs Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (Structural Review of Arts and Cultural Centres), the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra and the Resource Centre for the Arts.

Regional Development Plans, prepared for several areas, including Exploits Valley, Labrador Straits and four Community Futures Regions; Great Northern Peninsula, Long Range, Greater Humber and Northeast Avalon.

Memorial University of Newfoundland Extension Service - Preparation and delivery of a six month training course in Community Planning and Development to Town Managers and Clerks from across the Province.

Since 1984, we have helped communities, organizations and companies develop viable ideas for new development.




Social/Economic Impact Assessments completed for a wide range of development proposals including: Hope Brook Gold Mine, for British Petroleum-Selco Inc Hibernia Offshore Oil Project (Land and Resource Use portion) for Mobil Oil Inc Trans Labrador Highway, for the Department of Works, Services and Transportation Kanairiktok River Salmon Enhancement Project, for Salmon Enhancement Association of Labrador Programs Evaluations include: Federal/Provincial Agreement on Industrial Energy Conservation, for Department of Mines and Energy St. Mary's Bay Salmon Enhancement Program, for Salmon Enhancement Association of Newfoundland The Daybreak Parent/Child Care Program, for the Department of Social Services Provincial Fishplant Licensing Policy Review, for the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

We have designed and implemented a wide range of public consultation programs. We consider effective consultation and dialogue with stakeholder groups and the public in general to be absolutely critical.

Province-wide Consultation programs have been developed through a combination of one-on-one interviews, focus groups, mail-out and telephone surveys. Examples: the Provincial Tourism Accommodations Needs Study for the Department of Tourism and the Provincial Social Housing Needs Study for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation.

Regional Consultation programs include the Labrador Craft Development Study, the Connaigre-Bay D'Espoir Tourism Development Plan, the Trans Labrador Highway Social-Economic Impact Statement and the Arts and Culture Centres Management Review.

Community Consultation programs have included the Ramea Strategic Economic Plan, the Holyrood Development Plan, the Churchill Square Retail-Commercial Development Plan and the Coastal Labrador Community Development Plan. Methods used have included informal discussions, interviews, focus group sessions and community surveys.

Labour Force and Community/Industrial Adjustment - Dennis Knight chaired Industrial Adjustment Service (IAS) Committees for:

Fishery Products International plant workers in Trepassey and Ramea
Fishery Products International trawlermen
Middle Distance Fleet workers.

The objective was to facilitate the adjustment process and with the Union, Employer, Community and Government to develop adjustment strategies for displaced workers and communities.

Public Hearings, Bay du Nord Wilderness Area - Dennis Knight chaired the public hearings into establishing the Bay du Nord Wilderness Area. This required hearing and considering the concerns of resource users, environmental groups and others and making recommendations to the Provincial Cabinet.

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