Around the North

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is contributing to the growing list of voices petitioning for the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway from coast to coast.

Chukuni Communities Development Corp. has become the first community futures development corporation (CFDC) to receive long-term funding, which will enable it to do more planning for the future. The CFDC is getting a $1.

After more than four years of planning battles, Sault Ste. Marie enters the big-box shopping era early next year with the opening of a north-end Wal-Mart store. The 100,000-square-foot outlet is expected to open in late January 2003.

Eight months after restructuring, Sault Ste. Marie's Algoma Steel posted a $21.6-million second quarter profit for the period ending June 30.

Algoma Steel expects to have a new president and chief executive officer in place by Sept. 1. The Sault Ste. Marie company's search committee is further short-listing from a group of 10 candidates.

A refurbished sawmill in Ignace remains silent after management and union broke off negotiations. The Bowater lumber mill was set to start up July 2 after a recent expansion and refurbishment project.

Two grain companies warn they may stop buying Timiskaming farm products unless Bennett Environmental Ltd. alleviates their concerns about a proposed hazardous waste incinerator for Kirkland Lake.

Gravenhurst will be going ahead with the development of its harbour into a tourist attraction thanks to a $2,000,000 commitment by FedNor, along with an initial investment of $496,100 going toward a planning and environmental study.

Wunnumin Lake First Nations has received $68,000 from FedNor for the creation of a community economic development strategic plan.

Elliot Lake is experiencing a housing boom - something the town has not seen since the development of the local uranium mines 21 years ago.