Thunder Bay

By NICK STEWART When Wardrop Engineering Inc.’s vice-president of human resources James Popel says that Northern Ontario personnel are key to the international firm, he’s not just blowing smoke.

Entrepreneurs with big ideas in northwestern Ontario can get a motivational boost this fall at an upcoming conference in Dryden. The second annual FI:RE conference (Fueling Innovation: Reigniting Entrepreneurship) is underway Oct.

As northwestern Ontario’s largest city, Thunder Bay’s abundance of big-meeting hotel space and top-notch athletic facilities make it a natural spot to host conferences and gatherings.

Northwestern Ontario is proving to be favourable ground for renewable energy developers to scope out property.

By IAN ROSS The City of Dryden expects to land a mineral exploration company shortly to begin work this year on a package of assembled properties in an old gold mining camp.

By IAN ROSS Despite his idyllic mill location overlooking the wind-swept pine islands of Lake of the Woods, Rod McKay is on the desolate front lines of Northern Ontario's battered forestry industry.

By IAN ROSS For 30 years, Dryden's Riverview Lodge has built up a stellar word-of-mouth reputation for elegant dining.

By IAN ROSS In the height of the summer fire season, Dryden Regional Airport is a rollicking place.

By NICK STEWART In a fiercely competitive industry, brothers Harvey and Cliff Friesen have used their entrepreneurial gusto to keep their company, Bearskin Airlines, soaring for nearly 40 years.

By IAN ROSS The Anishinabek Nation has unveiled a bold economic plan to eradicate poverty among its 42 Ontario communities over the next two decades.