Town council has been invited to attend the Northern Networks trade conference, which will be held concurrently with the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce annual general meeting here later this month.
Speaking at Monday night’s council meeting, NOACC president Tannis Drysdale urged councillors and town staff to attend the conference, which brings together community leaders, business owners, and managers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northwestern Ontario.
“It gives us the opportunity to talk to Chamber and economic development professionals from the States,” Drysdale said. “By learning from each other, we can diversify our economy.”
Mayor Glenn Witherspoon advised all councillors to attend, saying networking at the conference in the past has resulted in new jobs and new businesses in Rainy River District.
With NOACC also holding its annual meeting here, delegates from both conferences can join panel discussions and network together.
Invited guest speakers include local MP Robert Nault, also the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Jim Wilson, the provincial minister of Northern Development and Mines, and Harold Wilson of the Southwest Alberta Economic Development Alliance.
NOACC will take care of general business at its annual meeting, including the election of a new president and debating resolutions on everything from Crown land use and development to the forest industry.
Other resolutions include highway development, access to capital for small- and medium-sized businesses, telecommunications, and endorsing the regional “Smart Growth” panel’s recommendations to Queen’s Park.
The registration fee to attend the Northern Networks trade conference is $150 Cdn. ($100 U.S.), which includes the welcome reception, two breakfasts, lunch, the evening banquet, attendance at all networking sessions and seminars, and an entrance pass to the trade show.
Both conferences will be held Sept. 25-27 at La Place Rendez-Vous.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•swore an oath of citizenship in recognition of Canada’s Citizenship Week (to be held Oct. 13-19);
•agreed to process a request for a break-open ticket licence application from the Friends of Little League at Sparky’s Confectionery from Sept. 8, 2003 to March 7, 2004; and
•referred a request for financial support from the Rainy River Watershed Program regarding the 2003 ManOMin conference to the Administration and Finance executive committee for a recommendation.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
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