Mining Report Released at NOMA AGM

A report on the future of mining in the area has been unveiled.

The strategy was presented at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference yesterday in Thunder Bay.

The analysis indicates that there will be considerable opportunities for suppliers to support the potential mining projects in the north.

The mining sector is expected to create 10,000 full-time jobs over the next decade and bring in up to 1.7-billion dollars in overall economic revenue each year over the same period.

On the downside, the study warns that upgrades to the province's electricity transmission system may not be completed in time to foster completion of planned mining projects.

NOACC AGM in Dryden This Weekend

Businesses and organizations from all over the region will be in Dryden this weekend.

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is holding its spring Annual General Meeting starting tonight at the Best Western.

President Andy Scribilo says there's lots happening over the two-day conference.

Scribilo says the public is invited to attend.

visit www.noacc.ca for information.

Local Reactions to Proposed Border Fee

Speaking out against the proposed border fee to enter the United States

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says both countries will benefit if the fee does not pass.

Campbell adds that a more open border concept will help keep tourists from the United States coming into the region and in turn impact the economy.

At the same time, the MP for Kenora says he is working to advance our borders with the United States.

Greg Rickford says we have advanced border crossings and the purposed border fee to enter the United States goes against what Canada is trying to do.

The purposed fee is going into a feasibility study to see if it would work and help the US pay for security costs.

Neither Campbell or Rickford expect the proposal to pass.

Mayors Unhappy With MPAC Presentation

A presentation from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has done nothing to appease area Mayors.

Several Northwestern Ontario communities including Dryden are withholding payments to MPAC over their assessments of mill property.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall calls the MPAC presentation at yesterday's NOMA conference bureaucratic rhetoric.

MPAC President Antoni Wisniowski says they hear the communities concerns and that's why they came to the conference in the first place.