RRFDC only contender for town EDO job

The future looks a little rosier for the Rainy River Future Development Corp.
Fort Frances council has put aside other applicants for the town’s economic development officer and is taking a closer look at what the RRFDC has to offer.
“We asked them to alter their application and we’ll talk to them again,” Mayor Glenn Witherspoon noted.
Council had indicated earlier this fall that it did not intend to re-new the contract with the RRFDC and instead would hire its own economic development officer to promote the town’s growing assets.
Amid controversy from other municipalities which argued the town was ignoring the interests of Rainy River District as a whole, the RRFDC pulled the surprise move of applying for the job itself.
After receiving 10 applications for the job, the committee established by council to oversee the hiring process agreed none of the individuals fit the needs of the town–leaving the RRFDC alone in the hunt.
“We’ll give them all we’ve got, we’re still the best ones for the job,” RRFDC chairman Telford Advent said Tuesday night.
While the RRFDC has yet to receive an official request, town council agreed at Monday’s regular meeting to send it a number of follow-up questions before deciding whether to hire the corporation or re-open the position.
Council will hold a special meeting next week to discuss the issue but must make a decision before the end of the year.
“If you wish to reconsider Futures as an entity, our contract ends Dec. 31–we have to decide this quick,” Mayor Witherspoon said Monday.