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Vol. 43, No. 17 Terrace Ba April 26, 1989 - Schreiber 69€ X0q Areiqr] oayqng Aeg eoeuey LE/L/EL OMe 10d UO Aeg eoeue] 0) 40 cents Merits of economic development By Dave Chmara The need for economic devel- opment was stressed at a meeting held in Schreiber last week. Bob Axford with the PS Consulting group, Doug Melville with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Paul Watts with the Northern Studies program working out of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay were on hand to outline the benefits and need for an Economic Organization. Local businessman Mike Moore chaired the meeting which Development saw two businessmen from Schreiber, six from Terrace Bay, Reeves Jim Ziegler and Mike Cosgrove, and councillors John St. Amand and Ed Borutski attend the meeting. Moore began the meeting. by saying, "we're here to decide if we want to organize and develop an Economic Development Organization." Axford echoed Moore's com- ment by adding "The first reason we're here is because we care and also many of us are business peo- ple and economic issues hit us in the pocket book." Axford conducted a short slide show which showed rural areas are shrinking in both population and economic activity. He also~ pointed out that Northern Ontario statistically has higher unemploy- ment compared with Ontario and Canada. He said communities can turn to politicians, companies and a number of government programs to help increase economic activi- ty. He also pointed out the signifi- cant growth of jobs in the service sector (up by 50 per cent between 1971 and 1986) and the decrease "in jobs in the primary service sec- tor (i.c. forestry, mining) over the past 40 years. In 1946, primary sector jobs made up 1/3 of the work force while in 1986 they only made up roughly 10 per cent of the work force. : Axford noted the service sec- tor depends on the wealth gener- ated by primary industry. "You're fortunate because you have a good primary industry in the area," Axford said. He said wealth and job cre- ation is needed for a healthy Spring has to be here when the beach starts to come alive with residents taking a walk Sunday afternoons and children start fishing. Above, Kevin and Kelly Maenpaa and Nathan Notwell try their luck. Photo by Dave Chmara Axford noted the three essen- tial ingredients needed for eco- nomic development: vision, col- laboration and a spark to keep things going. Melville said, "an Economic Development Committee is the tool to help create economic development." He added it can be made up of appointed members, politicians, business people. "It's up to the community to decide how to set it up." "The Ministry (of Northern Development and Mines) has funding to create economic strate- gies. The strategy is a local view on current and future plans," Melville said. He said under the MEDA pro- gram (municipal economic devel- opment agency) a minimum pop- ulation base of between 4,000 to 30,000 is required. This means Terrace Bay and Schreiber would have to form a joint economic development organization to receive full fund- ing under MEDA. Funding is $100,000 every year for five years with 25 per cent of that coming from the municipality. A feasibility study for an eco- nomic development organization would be required before funding from MEDA was granted. Axford said, "there's not a shortage of money or opportunity in this area (for economic devel- opment) but there is a shortage of entrepreneurs." He added, "These towns are not short of money. There's lots of money here but it heads down the road to you know where every Friday afternoon." Several of those in attendance made light of the fact CP, the mine and KC won't be here forev- er and economic development must be planned out well in advance of any lay offs or shut downs. Reeves Ziegler and Cosgrove said the two councils would meet to discuss further the possibility of attempting to form an Economic Development Organization and to decide how the organization would be made up. Realty Ltd. Simcoe Plaza Terrace Bay, Ont POT 2W0 Juris Zdanovskis Broker 1-807-824-2933 1-807-825-9393 Transfer Facility CP answers questions . about Schreiber site Page 2 INSIDE THIS WEE Grand Opening Futures office officially opens Fishing Regulations Catch and possession limits are changing Page 6 Page 7 HOUSE INSURANCE Call Superior-Shoreline Ins. Ltd. 825-9492 825-9646 REPLACEMENT COST CONTENTS Have you got it?