Towns told to take control of own fates

As an economic developer, would you invest money in Northwestern Ontario?
With obstacles like a dwindling population and an over-reliance on natural resources, Michael Atkins, the keynote speaker at last Thursday’s “Community Summit” here, gave delegates a strong dose of reality while asking them to come up with an answer to that question.
He noted communities in Northern Ontario suffer from an “an inability to take charge of the future.”
“Most municipalities haven’t a clue how to take charge of their destinies. They do only what the provincial government tells them,” said Atkins. “And if the business community does not believe it’s their job to help rescue the community, it won’t happen.”
He argued a municipality has to be run like a “city state,” demanding more creativity, more brilliance from itself, and organizing its “warriors,” or people who are going to make the necessary changes happen.
Atkins noted municipalities can start by gaining “sovereignty,” and learning to act on their own, thinking ahead, and planning financially for the future.
He also stressed municipalities can’t be afraid to take chances, at the same time gaining the public’s respect so it just doesn’t “pile on” its leaders when taking a risk results in failure.
Atkins said it’s important to be “cool”—that is, make it clear to the younger generation that successful people live in their community in order to encourage them to come back after they’ve completed their education and become one of those successful people.
As well, Atkins noted communities must realize the extraordinary people within them, and even go to the extent of creating a database of people suitable for particular projects.
He also stressed a municipality should invest money in mental “infrastructure,” or people who “think full-time” for the town.
Atkins said one strategy to maintain a stable business core is succession planning. Municipalities should pay for businesses to have succession plans in place to ensure another person (a relative or otherwise) keeps a business going once that business owner wants to retire.
This keeps local business in local hands, employing local people.
Atkins also said municipalities should not depend on natural resources too much, invest in technology and never lose the edge, be specific when setting goals, and to spend “100 cents on the dollar” and “don’t wait for FedNor.”
“The most debilitating thing is petty jealousy and selfishness,” he concluded, while encouraging community leaders to “build trust and communicate well.”
Atkins, who made it in for the “summit” from Sudbury despite poor weather, is president of Laurentian Media Group, ITWorld, and Northern Ontario Business, director of the Canadian Business press, and founder of the Northern Ontario Business Awards and Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards.
Summit organizer Jim Cumming called Atkins “one of the highly-respected publishers in Canada,” who “has a passion for the north” and is “a visionary” who “helps people move towards the future.”
“He delivered a powerful message,” said Cumming. “He yanked the tail of complacency.”