North Bay

By IAN ROSS Northern Ontario Business A Belgian home builder could be manufacturing upscale European-style homes and building components in North Bay by mid-2005.

Construction begins next spring on a new North Bay high-tech mall development. Anchored by Photo Metro, a locally based photo and digital imaging graphics company, the proposed 18,000-square-foot strip mall on Algonquin and Gertrude is half-occupied.

By IAN ROSS Northern Ontario Business A great financing environment and an improved local economy have contributed to North Bay’s home building and housing market boom, now stretching into the third year.

The new Temiskaming Shores may not be officially a municipality yet, but those who will make up its government are already looking to the community’s future prosperity.

By IAN ROSS Northern Ontario Business At least two data storage companies are interested in North Bay’s soon-to-be-vacated underground air defence facility, known locally as the Hole.

FedNor is investing $195,000 in North Bay’s Canadore College to upgrade and enhance its trade skills program.

By ANDREW WAREING Northern Ontario Business The Materials Joining Institute of Canada (MaJIC), has a catchy acronym, but the designation of “institute” is one that is reserved, says Fred Gibbons, acting president of Northern College.

By IAN ROSS Northern Ontario Business The root has definitely turned for Buckstone Inc.

By JOSEPH QUESNEL Northern Ontario Business North Bay is well-positioned for economic growth, if a significant increase in the amount of new building permits the city is experiencing is any indicator, says Mayor Vic Fedeli.

By KELLY LOUISEIZE Northern Ontario Business North Bay is expected to top its total construction value this year with ongoing projects and new initiatives. Last year the city’s total construction costs were estimated at $33 million.