With the aim to help boost the local economy, the Town of Fort Frances may get into a partnership with other regional municipalities to bring a pair of value-added wood product experts here.
“I think this is an exciting program that has been forwarded by the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corp.,” noted Coun. Tannis Drysdale, who brought the proposal forward at Monday night’s regular council meeting.
“It’s in conjunction with partners right across Northwestern Ontario, particularly Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border,” she added.
“We’re being offered the opportunity, for $2,000 a year for the next three years, to take part in a project that’s worth $375,000,” she noted.
“The company that will be coming in, should funding be received from the higher levels of government, would work with entrepreneurs in our region to help them determine if their idea for a new value-added wood product was feasible, and do that feasibility study at a reduced cost,” Coun. Drysdale explained.
A pair of value-added forestry product experts, working under the company Forintek Canada Corp., also would deliver seminars, conduct site visits, consult, and give information to entrepreneurs, businesses, and industry on expanding into value-added forestry products throughout the region.
Forintek Canada Corp. has received funding from FedNor and the Ministry of Natural Resources for this project, said Coun. Drysdale, adding the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. also is reviewing the project to see if it will contribute funding.
The balance of the cost of bringing the consultants here now relies on regional municipalities getting together and contributing a total of $17,500 per year for three years.
“We’ve talked at previous council meetings about our role in economic development, and that there might be projects out there that we’d like to add on,” she said.
“I think this project, for $2,000, would have great value to our community.
“I would suggest we become partners in this project and the Economic Development Advisory Committee forward a representative to sit on the review team so that our community would receive the full benefit of these two experts,” added Coun. Drysdale.
“Is the $2,000 a flat rate or based on per capita?” asked Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
Coun. Drysdale confirmed it is a flat rate, adding Red Lake, Dryden, and Kenora have agreed to participate. “Considering the size of the project, $2,000 is a very good deal,” she said.
But Mayor Dan Onichuk and Coun. Struchan Gilson both noted they would like to find out more about the initiative before committing the money.
The matter of the $2,000 fee was referred to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation.
Council also asked that economic development officer Geoff Gillon come to its Feb. 28 meeting and give his input on the initiative.
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