The forestry industry is on the rebound and the City of Kenora aims to take full advantage.
The northwestern Ontario community that once thrived on forestry released a value-added forestry sector profile document in April as an industry attraction tool.
Jennifer Findlay, Kenora's economic development officer, said having the guide is a great resource. “For me, when I'm talking to a company, I've got this data and information – everything from the land that we have available, to how much you pay for stumpage in Ontario, and the process, people you would engage, funding opportunities and incentives that are available.”
The municipality is actively promoting it through forestry organizations and it's available for viewing on the city's website.
Findlay said since the profile was unveiled in the spring she's had two bites from value-added companies. One is still scoping out the community as one of two possible locations. The other is seriously considering Kenora.
The companies are looking at the community because of the prescence of two existing producers – Weyerhaeuser's laminated strand lumber mill and the Kenora Forest Products sawmill – and the opportunity to use residuals for either biomass or fuel opportunities.
Geography also plays a part on the business attraction side by being located in the heart of northwestern Ontario's fibre basket and in the middle of Canada giving Kenora an edge in accessing U.S. Midwestern markets.
Findlay is also using the cottage hook in promoting Kenora to companies as a picturesque spot to live and work.
“One of the advantages that Kenora has as a business location is that if you own a cottage here you look at, how can I spend more time here? You don't move your business to the cottage unless you can make a business case for it, but Kenora is on their radar because they spend time at the lake.”
The municipality has some readily available industrial and manufacturing properties on Jones Road, next to Weyerhaeuser, out at the airport, and at the former Abitibi mill site near the downtown which is branded as a light industrial business park.
Findlay said she received great input for the document from local mill managers Rod McKay at Kenora Forest Products and Bill Candline at Weyerhaeuser.
“Huge input, can't say enough good things to say about these community partners. If you look through the document, my favourite quotes come from the businesses themselves.
“When I bring a company in I introduce them to the players every time, and no matter how busy they are they make that time because no one can tell that story better than an existing company.”
The Weyerhaeuser mill, which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary last fall, has great experience in attracting and keeping a workforce, added Findlay.
“That's very powerful. What investors want to know is that they're coming into a community that's business-friendly and that we're a make-it-happen kind of community.”
