Hermanville brainstorms over wind farm money

About 60 people in the Hermanville area gathered this week to discuss how to spend this year's $125,000 in provincial wind turbine money.

The province has committed to give annual funding to the region as compensation for the 10-turbine development. Project funding will be decided by the 11-member Northside Windmill Enhancement Committee and the Department of Rural Development.

Committee secretary Lynn McInnis was pleased with the turnout at the meeting and the ideas raised.

"There were seniors there, there was the young people, there were business owners, there were people from outside the community. It was just a real good representation, and we had awesome suggestions from them," said McInnis.

"We want to assure the community that we're open to their input and to feel free to contact any of the members of the committee with their ideas or concerns."

Ideas presented included:

• Clean up St. Margaret's pioneer cemetery.
• Build an interpretive centre and gift shop.
• Start a new festival focused on rum running.
• Youth ambassador program with summer projects.
• Reopen Naufrage lighthouse as visitor attraction.
• Develop Harbour Beach at Naufrage.
• Invest in convenience store with gas pumps.
• Support hands-on farm tours, deep sea fishing trips, bird watching, fly fishing.

Applications for projects are being accepted now, and the money could be awarded as early as April 1.

For mobile device users: How do you think Hermanville should use the wind farm compensation?