By ADELLE LARMOUR
There is no time for grass to grow under the feet of Espanola’s new economic development officer. Twenty-six-year-old Anna Frattini began her employment with the town in early March 2006, and already she is exploring ideas and opportunities for the “Fine Paper Town.”
Frattini’s past experience at the Regional Business Centre in Greater Sudbury and her master’s of business administration (MBA) from Griffith University in Australia provide a valuable knowledge base.
With tools in hand, Frattini has already met twice with the seven-member economic advisory committee she describes as possessing a variety of expertise with a good knowledge of community activity. Although a campaign has not been decided, monthly meetings will help steer the town’s economic direction.
Frattini says Espanola is a busy place. She sees a lot of potential for the residential, tourism and industrial markets.
Residentially, Espanola offers affordable living in a town with major retail stores, Cambrian College’s satellite campus and a hospital expanding its Family Health Team unit.
“Our location is optimal,” she says. “It is close to Sudbury, yet close to the Island. There is everything you need to live here and yet appreciate the more natural surroundings nature has to offer.”
The ball is rolling for the servicing of the five-acre industrial park, recently the benefactor of a provincial funding boost, on the Penage Road property. The land is being cleared in preparation for water, sewer and hydro installation. Frattini expects the one-acre lots to be ready by September.
“Each lot (per acre) has been appraised at $17,000,” Frattini says. She adds the price is negotiable, should one want to acquire more acreage.
The lots also provide opportunity for supplier-linked businesses to set up shop close to the town’s major industry and employer, the Domtar pulp and paper mill.
Frattini is also following up on recommendations that came out of the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program where 61 businesses were surveyed.
She is going out to the local business community as a business advocate, offering support and guidance on hiring, expanding, marketing, and other key activities.
“I’m trying to create awareness that I’m available for this,” she says.
Frattini has visited several businesses and will continue to seek out more, and possibly run some workshops for business training and sharing insights.
Another project in which the town invested is the outdoor recreation park comprised of 80 to 100 acres, with a quarter-mile drag strip for hot-rod racing enthusiasts. Frattini says the town has had a noise and environmental assessment completed, indicating its possible fruition with some modifications.
Some months ago a small number of residents adjacent to the proposed drag strip voiced their concerns that the racing activity would disturb them.
The town hopes to attract a private enterprise and will offer assistance to an interested party.
