Sault Ste. Marie & Lake Superior Feature
New Sault solar panel operator has Spanish connection
Sault Ste. Marie is entering the North American solar panel supply chain market in a big way using some leading-edge European-style technology.
Sault Ste. Marie & Lake Superior News
Sault hotels get facelift for business, conference traffic
Hotel properties in Sault Ste. Marie are getting facelifts and being rebranded as more convention traffic picks up in the city.
Sault aircraft refurbisher soaringThe recent recession cut deep into the aviation sector, causing some large aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul shops to go out of business.However, it’s opened up doors for smaller players like JD Aero Technical to pick up international work.
Northern Credit Union builds $8M headquarters in the SooThe new corporate offices for Northern Credit Union in Sault Ste. Marie broke ground last week for the construction of $8 million building scheduled for completion next year.
Former Algoma CEO on the cutting edgeWhen Denis Turcotte resigned as head of Algoma Steel last year, he could have written his ticket into any corner office. But instead of becoming a corporate turn-around artist with another struggling company, he caught the consulting bug.
Sault Ste. Marie & Lake Superior Community Profile
Like many northern communities that previously languished under the weight of economic downturns followed by an out-migration of its citizens, Sault Ste Marie is now enjoying a robust cycle of growth and development. The city’s shift into a multi-pronged growth offensive has changed mindsets as much as economic development, thus entrenching a ‘can-do’ ethos into future planning.
“We have seen a wave of commercial development in response to a robust economy,” said Bruce Strapp, CEO for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.
Chief among these is an expanding multi-modal transportation network linking rail, truck, and shipping lines into an integrated system that facilitates the speedy movement of goods and services. A 60,000 square foot distribution warehouse is intended to alleviate the frustrating delays shippers experience at the more congested border crossings in southern Ontario.
This private initiative by local businessman Jack Purvis is viewed as a complimentary and necessary adjunct to municipal infrastructure developments.
Carmen’s Way, the newly completed bypass now connects the international bridge with Highway 17, a long awaited measure designed to alleviate the congestion of traffic that clogged city streets with private vehicles and transport trucks.
Traditional economic mainstays like Essar Steel Algoma are also repositioning themselves to accommodate value-added components to their industries.
| Quick Facts | 2007 Municipal Tax Rate |
Population - 74,566 |
Commercial rate - 0.051 Industrial occupied - 0.057 |
| Target Growth Areas | Real Estate |
Value added steel and wood products |
Average cost of a 4-bedroom house - $190,000 |
| Developments for 2008 | Top 5 Employers |
New hospital construction |
Essar Steel Algoma - 3300 employees |
