Council will have to decide at tonight’s regular meeting whether the town will continue to use the Rainy River Future Development Corp.’s services for economic development for the next three years.
While council has been given an outline of the RRFDC’s responsibilities and activities, RRFDC chair Telford Advent and RRFDC treasurer John McTaggart will appear before council tonight to make their case for the town keeping them on board and answer any questions the new council may have.
The RRFDC—which essentially provides programs and services to support community economic development and small business growth—has been instrumental in projects ranging from the 2002 WHO conference here, Safe Community Incentive Plan (SCIP), and “Re-Inventing Fort Frances” to telecommunications proposals, business loans, and business retention and expansion studies.
Retaining its services costs the town $112,500 per year.
The RRFDC’s contract with the town expired Nov. 30, but the previous “lame duck” council was unable to renew the agreement at that time.
At its Oct. 27 meeting, council was presented with a request from the Economic Development Advisory Committee to support its resolution to continue the contract with the RRFDC for 2003-06.
But council deferred the matter for consideration of the new council.
Acting Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig brought the issue back to the committee of the whole last Monday to remind councillors to review the contract in preparation for tonight’s meeting.
Other business at tonight’s meetings will include:
•a notice from the residents of Watten regarding the termination of efforts to raise funds to maintain 9-1-1 service there;
•board and committee appointments from the Planning and Development division;
•a final report from the Centennial Celebrations Advisory Committee;
•a bylaw to approve a contract for operation of the municipal landfill site;
•the council attendance schedule for various conferences in 2004;
•board appointments/nominations to the Rainy River District Municipal Association; and
•a request for financial support from the Regional Municipality of Durham for the development of Juno Beach Centre.
Tonight’s council meeting is scheduled to start at 6:10 p.m., which will be preceded by the committee of the whole at 5:30.
Both meetings will be held downstairs at the Civic Centre.
This meeting is the last of 2003 for the new council.
Its first two meetings of 2004 are slated for Monday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 27.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
