FIRST BANK — Opening of this bank in Iron Bridge (March, this year) marks another milestone in village history as future growth is heralded. Open two days a week, Mondays and Saturdays, the branch business is handled by Robin Coleman and John Moore, shown in front of the bank building.	Photo by Bell
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Hydro Boon to Iron Bridge
What construction of a Hydro power dam has meant to residents of Iron Bridge and to business establishments of the town and area may not be assessed until further work is seen on that project but one thing is definite—it is a boon to the quiet North Shore town.

Problems of school accommodation,as well as housing and family dwelling units has been somewhat of a poser for local officials. The influx of construction employees as well as men looking for employment on the dam construction project has further foiled local activity.

Hydro workers and their families, expected to number about 500 to 600 men when construction swings into full-time operations three miles north of here, have been located in trailer camps and bunk ouses near the site as well as in local areas prepared for the rush of new residents.
In addition to the opening of a branch bank here, the first such facility in this village, building this year has included new homes and motels and opening of more business establishments to handle retail needs of the expanded population.

The outlook is bright for the village which, for many years, was almost entirely dependent on a slightly unsteady logging and lumbering trade operated on a small scale and the always busy tourist trade flowing into the village and surrounding area.

Building of a community centre is the foremost interest of clubs in this village as recreational facilities are not too available except for park and school playgrounds. Proceeds of this Community Night have been pledged to a fund established for the centre.

The Lions Club, founded eight years ago, is the only active service club in the village although more public clubs and societies are being formed this year, the cultural Society for one. The village received its status as an improvement district in January.

Situated as it is between the larger centres of Thessalon and Blind River, the village and its economy has always been more or less dependent on the industrial activity in those two towns but this year the situation has indeed changed.

The need for communal growth was seen by local officials and the improvement district status was the first step in organizational activity aimed at aiding the proper growth of the municipality still in the throes of fast, unexpected growth.