Around the North

Officials at Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. say the company is currently $6 billion in debt, and an improvement in the paper market is needed before the company will be able to pay off a significant amount of the debt.

Those who provide mandatory refresher courses for Ontario’s 750 firefighters will be busy with the strike by provincial government employees drawing to an end.

Chapleau's economic future has been mapped out with their updated strategic plan. Released in late April, the document outlines a number of opportunities designed to increase and strengthen the town's economic base.

Statistics released by the Timmins Economic Development Corp. (TEDC) indicate the city has experienced a net gain of 362 jobs. From January to March 2002 there were 33 jobs lost in the city, however, 395 new jobs were created.

The business community in the Tri-Towns is making much use of King Air's new scheduled airport service between the Earlton airport and Toronto. Since flights between Earlton, Rouyn-Noranda and Toronto resumed Jan.

Canada Safeway has confirmed it will close its three Thunder Bay stores if striking employees do not accept the company’s latest offer.

Kuch Stephenson Architects and GBW Architect and Engineer announced the merger of their firms to form Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo Architects and Engineer.

Northwestern Ontario's rich mining heritage is now accessible to all via a Web link through the Thunder Bay Public Library.

Two proposed industrial projects for Thunder Bay have received the support of Robert Nault, federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs. U.S. based Syn-Fuel Technologies wants to build a power plant and Bowater is planning a sawmill.

Area geologists are talking about mineral exploration results from RJK Explorations and Greater Lenora Resources Corp.'s property west of Thunder Bay.