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March 11, 2005
printed in the Manitoulin West Recorder
by Margo Little
GORE BAY - Manitoulin residents are
being asked to brainstorm new ideas for
economic development. Innovative
ideas are being collected at a series of
meetings held throughout the Island and
the North Shore.
The sessions have been organized by the
LaCloche-Manitoulin Business Assistance
Corporation (LAMBAC). The organization
intends to revise its original strategic
plan published in 20000.
During the past five years several
ventures have been launched. The
Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association
was formed to promote the interests of
fish farms. A commercial compost
project was initiated in partnership
with the town of Espanola and Domtar.
A cooperative effort to market
Manitoulin-made products gained public
visibility. A large-scale stream
rehabilitation project is underway on
Blue Jay Creek and the Manitou River.
LAMBAC is also moving full steam ahead
on its plan to make Manitoulin a prime
retirement destination, said community
development officer Arik Theijsmeijer.
He presented a slide show and sneak
preview of the project's website for
participants at Tuesday night's forum.
For the updated strategic plan, citizen
input is sought in the categories of
agriculture/aquaculture,
mining/forestry, industry, service,
tourism and knowledge economy.
LAMBAC is looking for economic
development initiatives that recognize
local core values, according to LAMBAC
spokesman Jeff Hietkamp. "The
ideas need to promote the Island's
unique identity and support balance in
the economy," he told a gathering in
Gore Bay on March 8. "It's tough
to create brand new, fresh industries in
totally different areas. It is
probably best to enhance what is already
here."
Three individuals attended the public
meeting at LAMBAC's Gore Bay Office on
Tuesday. Key Pearce,
vice-president o the Manitoulin Chamber
of Commerce was on hand to make
suggestions. In his view,
value-added forest products have a lot
of potential for development. He
notes that Manitoulin cedar is sought
after. He urges Island sawmill
owners to form a consortium to produce
such items as cedar chalet kits.
"We could build houses for retirees and
make it a leader in Ontario," he said.
"We have all the skill needed to do this
type of work."
The service sector needs to be addressed
in order to enhance tourism, Jacqueline
Gordon of Kagawong added. Training
for people involved in the food,
beverage and hospitality industry should
be a priority, she stressed.
For Todd Gordon, a research consultant
recently transplanted from Guelph to
Manitoulin, high speed Internet is a
necessity. E-Commerce and the
knowledge-based economy could thrive
with upgraded technology, he suggested.
"The key is to strive for balance," he
said. "No matter what their age,
people are attracted to Manitoulin
because of the quality of life."
LAMBAC has scheduled similar public
meeting in Little Current, Espanola and
Massey.
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