New regional group would look for new industries, as well as tourism and agricultural opportunities

Ward 1 Coun. Sandra Hollingsworth and her Ward 5 counterpart Matthew Scott want the Sault to set up an economic development working group with places like Wawa, Echo Bay, Blind River, St. Joseph Island and other Algoma municipalities.

The Sault Ste. Marie councillors want the group to “set economic goals that could include small- to mid-size industries and/or tourism and/or agriculture to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie and area is resilient for the future as artificial intelligence and other changes start to impact the community.”

They’ll push for the initiative at this week’s city council meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Here’s the full text of the resolution they’ll present.

Community economic development

Mover: Coun. S. Hollingsworth

Seconder: Coun. M. Scott

Whereas working with surrounding communities offers significant economic, social, and operational advantages, transforming local economies by fostering sustainable growth, creating jobs, and enhancing quality of life; and

Whereas this “community economic development” approach keeps money circulating locally — often generating 70 per cent more local economic activity than non-local alternatives — and builds resilience against economic pressures; and

Whereas many already see the City of Sault Ste. Marie as the hub and the surrounding communities as the spokes; and

Whereas Sault Ste. Marie has a responsibility to ensure we work together to ensure prosperity for all; and

Whereas many surrounding communities currently rely on Sault Ste. Marie for employment, services including health care, shopping for basic needs, professional services from banking to legal and sporting events to name a few; and

Whereas developing a strong economic and tourism strategy with communities in Algoma will build a healthier community for all; and

Whereas many other cities, towns and townships have created and executed economic and tourism strategies that have resulted in employment, ensuring a bright future,

Now therefore be it resolved that the mayor, CAO, Economic Development Corp. and the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie board establish a working group with Wawa, Echo Bay, Blind River, St. Joseph Island and other members of the Algoma District Municipal Association to set economic goals that could include small- to mid-size industries and/or tourism and/or agriculture to ensure that Sault Ste. Marie and area is resilient for the future as artificial intelligence and other changes start to impact the community.