Around the North

Downtown merchants and mall operators in Sault Ste. Marie have reached an agreement with Wal-Mart just prior to an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in Sault Ste. Marie.

Northwestern Ontario is losing out on opportunities to attract high-growth firms due to a lack of venture capital firms in the northwest, a Thunder Bay consultant says. At present there are no venture capital firms operating in northwestern Ontario.

A deal has been reached between the federal government and Ginoogaming First Nation, entitling the northwestern Ontario First Nation to receive over $14 million from the Canadian government.

The province has allocated nearly $3.7 million for bridge reconstruction in the Dryden area as part of its 2001-02 Northern Highway Program.

The population of the Rainy River District is expected to see minimal growth over the next 27 years, according to Ministry of Finance projections. By 2028, the population is expected to grow only three per cent, compared to a population growth of 33.

Officials with the Town of Red Lake say the cost of expanding a natural gas pipeline to the community has jumped by more than $2.3 million over last year's estimate, and they are now turning to the federal government for more money.

Pic River First Nation is seeking compensation from the provincial and federal governments and the town of Marathon for profits, taxes, stumpage dues and royalties resulting from a land claim issue.

Northwestern Energy Association (NEA), a co-operative of six power distribution companies in northwestern Ontario, has expressed interest in bidding on energy plants put on the market by Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

The new Northern Boreal Initiative (NBI), a consortium of six First Nations communities, is turning to the province for economic development, employment and tourism.

A proposal for the construction of an all-weather road to gain access to timber on Black Bay Peninsula near Nipigon has hit a snag.