Economic diversification is key for struggling forestry mill towns like Dryden in northwestern Ontario.
That theme is the thrust of a new awareness campaign by the Dryden Development Corporation with the Patricia Area Community Endeavors and the Northwest Training and Adjustment Board.
Dubbed 'Opportunity Dryden,' it is a campaign aimed at making local residents, businesses, youth and government aware of the benefits of economic diversification and what investors look for in choosing a location.
Vicki Kurz, Dryden's Economic Development Manager, said residents need "re-set" their thinking in preparing for a new economy.
The campaign kicked off May 3 and involved sharing information with business, educators and government on the roles they need to play to train people, create sustainable jobs and identify barriers and opportunities to develop the local economy. Details are online at www.opportunitydryden.ca.
Some of that diversification is taking place with the establishment of a new call centre in the city.
Dig North is locating its Call-Before-You-Dig program in the city, creating six jobs immediately with the potential for 30 additional jobs, including 10 technician positions.
The program is a telephone hotline for excavating companies, contractors and the public to call to determine where utilities are buried at project or residential sites.
Keith White, Business Development Manager for Dig North, said the Dryden Development Corporation and the City of Dryden were very instrumental in establishing the program in the North.
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