Around the North

An increase in the number of building permits issued this year compared to last year's figures is a positive sign for the future of the City of Timmins, a city official says. This year's building permits, valued at $10.5 million, are up $3.

Communications technology is expanding in the Cochrane-Timiskaming district to pave the way for increased economic development.

FedNor is contributing $144,4000 to the Town of Temagami for completion of a project to convert the community's former train station to a year-round tourist attraction.

According to a recent survey, a large percentage of small business owners in Thunder Bay say city councillors are not doing a good job pursuing economic development opportunities.

Talks regarding the potential sale of Thunder Bay Terminals by Russel Metals Inc. to NRG Energy came to an end last month when the deal was called off. Other interested parties are now free to make offers on the facility.

The City of Thunder Bay could lose tax revenue as a result of returning land to reserve status, but it is not opposing Fort William First Nation's move to do so.

The on-again, off-again saga of Thunder Bay's Portside waterfront development is off again with a developer's failure to obtain $15-million in secured funding for the project.

The City of Thunder Bay is weighing its options on the waterfront development project following the termination of negotiations between the city and developers. A 60-day notice to Thunder Bay Waterfront Developments Inc. expired at midnight Aug.

Northern Wood Preservers plans to expand its Thunder Bay facilities. Though a project budget will not be drawn up until late September, the company is seeking financial quotes from different machinery suppliers.

Old Fort William is considering expanding its horizons based on a land-use feasibility study released in August.