As a follow-up to a trip to Paris, Tenn. last year (and a subsequent visit here by Paris Mayor Larry Crawford and city manager Carl Holder this past May), the Rainy River Future Development Corp. is planning another trip down south this fall.
Geoff Gillon, economic development officer with the RRFDC, told town council Monday the details still are being hammered out, but that he’s hoping to see group of local business people and other delegates head out Oct. 22 or 23.
“I think it’s great we have a tentative date set,” said Gillon. “Now, what we’d like to do is get a group together by the end of the month or in September, and figure out how we’ll get there, what we want to do.
“It’s a great opportunity.”
Gillon noted those who go to Fort Frances’ “twin” city can expect southern hospitality. “I know they’re looking forward to seeing us. Make sure you diet before you go down there,” he chuckled.
The purpose of the trip is to give those involved in local commerce and economic development a first-hand look at how business can be done in a community roughly the same size as Fort Frances, with an emphasis on tourism, and some of the same obstacles, such as abandoned buildings and empty lots in need of re-development.
The trip would be for three or four days, with a mid-week departure and the return on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Gillon said the proposed trip to Paris will be the subject of more promotion in the near future, but for now, anyone interested can contact him at 274-3276.
Gillon, CAO Bill Naturkach, and Mayor Glenn Witherspoon visited Tennessee (Paris and another city named Winchester) last year.
They toured the two cities’ municipal offices, police departments, and recreation centres, as well as taking in some sights like the Tims Ford State park, the Jack Daniels distillery, and an old jail converted into a museum.
They also discussed economic growth and the value of business incentives to keep small communities alive while down there.
As mentioned above, Mayor Crawford and Holder visited here for a few days earlier this year. They were accompanied in their time here by Gillon, Naturkach, Mayor Witherspoon, Times’ publisher Jim Cumming, and local Chamber of Commerce president Alan Tibbetts.
During that time, they met with town management and representatives from the health care, social service, and education fields, the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) board of directors, special interest groups, and major employers in the private sector (such as Abitibi-Consolidated).
Meanwhile, in other RRFDC news reported at Monday’s council meeting, Gillon said he hopes to see the town’s financial incentive plan approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing sometime next month—and ready for immediate implementation.
He added the town and Stratton Equipment, which previously expressed considerable interest in developing the old Fort High property on First Street East, are making progress on a memorandum of understanding, but no other details could be revealed while that process is ongoing.
But he did say the recent number of businesses either being built (Tim Hortons and Wal-Mart) or considered for construction (such as a larger Nor-West Animal Clinic) is a good sign.
“We’ve got a better attitude in the town, from a pro-business, pro-development point-of-view,” Gillon remarked.
Gillon also said word on a business plan for broadband funding should be coming along soon. “The announcement, whether it’s positive or negative, will be in September or October,” he noted.
The RRFDC also is in the process of acquiring funding to hire a co-ordinator to oversee the “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” project, as well as getting money for a “gateway” enhancement at the border (which would include signage, green space, and a mural on the lap building)—the first step in the “Re-Inventing” plan.
And finally, Gillon noted the North Western Ontario Tourism Association (NWOTA) will be releasing a report in the next month or so on “The Economic Impact of Tourism on Northwestern Ontario.”
He added the report is “positive” from what he’s seen.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
