Ross MacDonald, project co-ordinator for the chamber of commerce has been working on a few projects with the business community in Blind River. One of the biggest is a downtown revitalization project that involves an action plan originally compiled by the Street Smarts program, that has been in limbo for a while.
The revitalization program is still in the early planning stages, but MacDonald has been door to door to visit the 40-plus businesses located in and around Woodward Avenue, the town's main street.
Although plans are to address tourism to some extent, MacDonald says the real focus will be on gateway signage to catch traffic passing through the town.
It is estimated that over four million travellers pass through along Trans-Canada Highway 17, the only highway connecting the area to the southern portion of the province. Blind River is just about midway between the cities of Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, each just under 150 kilometres away.
MacDonald says the chamber hopes to have some concrete plans set by the spring, plans to provide the community with some year-round attractions that will aid in enticing travellers to stop.
A retail survey to determine the shopping habits and provide some numbers on out-of-town shopping is also in the works. The survey, which will be administered to residents from the Village of Iron Bridge on the west through to Spanish on the east, should provide some useful information about shopping habits in the area, MacDonald says.
"We hope to be able to link some of the needs of the community with the business needs as a result of that (survey)," he says.
The expansion of the municipally owned golf course to 18 holes, and the addition of snowmobile trails through the town, as well as to the east of town, have been benefits in providing all-season attractions for visitors. The town is also equipped with a marina with full docking facilities and a variety of amenities for travellers along the North Channel. Situated on the shore of Lake Huron, the town is picturesque for tourists, and offers numerous smaller lakes for recreational activities such as fishing and swimming. The area also offers a host of service clubs, sports activities and a museum and art gallery.
Despite the natural amenities offered here, the population, as in many northern communities, has decreased in recent years and is currently just under 4,000.
The area's largest employer, Cameco Corp., reportedly did well the last quarter, but Forest Ply Industries, with over 60 employees, had been on strike for over two-and- a-half years. The area is still waiting on word on where Algoma Millworks, a plywood mill tentatively planned for the area, plans to locate.
Natalie Heasman, economic development officer for the town, says the mill’s location anywhere on the North Shore will benefit all communities. She says there is no doubt the community it is situated nearest will benefit most.
Heasman says the municipality has set technology as a main priority for the community, and they continue to work towards it. Other avenues for development are being considered, including the possibility of securing a call centre.
