Steve Antunes, the city’s manager of economic development, welcomed those attending Wednesday evening’s town hall meeting and gave a review of work the department has done and is planning to do.
Antunes said he started in the department in 2021 and work at that time was based on a strategy for development in Elliot Lake first established in 2012. According to him, economic development plans were usually established with a 10-year time frame for planned work. His department is currently working on a new plan that will likely involve a much shorter time frame because of constantly changing technology.
To illustrate the need to adapt to technology, the current plan being fostered deals with electric vehicle charging stations, something that would not have been part of a plan put together only a few years ago. In that regard, EV stations are being considered by council, but no firm plans have been drawn up.
He said the plan involves city-owned land sales for residential and commercial use, working with local businesses and drawing up strategies to promote business sales, like the pre-Christmas Winter Shop Local promotion and tourism promotion and the establishment of trail systems, sports and recreation activities.
“We’ve been working with a group to prepare our new economic development plan,” he said.
According to Antunes, the department is also working with the newly created Chamber of Commerce and will assist the business group if required.
The city is managing to attract investors with plans to build residential development and also registered land sales of commercial property.
The city’s population is also growing with a 10.2 per cent increase from 2016.
“Things we set out to accomplish, we’ve accomplished.”
Antunes explained that as residential development becomes available for rent or sale, business development is expected to grow to meet increased demand.
The department generally holds two town hall meetings each year to keep residents updated on what is happening. More extensive information can be found in the community profile section on the city website or contact the department at its email [email protected].