Sioux Lookout Economic Development Office and The Business Hub move into Heritage Train Station

Tim Brody - Editor

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout’s Economic Development Office and Business Hub have moved to the Heritage Railway Station at 53 Front Street, where they are located on the main floor.
A Municipal media release informed, “Sioux Lookout’s Economic Development Department, along with the support of the Economic Development Commission, has been working diligently to implement Sioux Lookout’s Economic Development Strategy and Growth Plan, focussing on: • Housing • Investment Attraction, Retention and Innovation • Employment Lands and Emerging Sectors.
“The Business Hub, which involves the co-location of the Northwestern Health Unit, HME Consulting, First Mining Corporation and Special Project Staff at the Heritage Railway Station, provides a shared space for innovation! A number of exciting developments have emerged from the Business Hub over the last two years, including: • developing innovative partnerships with University of Toronto, University of Guelph and St. Lawrence College, Finland and the University of Kaerelia; • NRCan Biomass Demonstration Project; • Reconciliation Through Engineering Initiative – in partnership with University of Toronto Anthropology and Engineering Departments; • Study: Prioritizing Airport Infrastructure Upgrades to Improve Social Sustainability and Well-being in Remote Northern Ontario Communities in partnership with the Regional Distribution Centre Project; and • recently the Sports Tourism Strategy”
Municipal Economic Development Manager Vicki Blanchard shared, “Sioux Lookout is the “Hub of the North” and building a
strong knowledge-based industry surrounded by innovative partners has considerable potential and is proving to be very beneficial for Sioux Lookout and the Far North communities.”
The Municipality’s media release concluded by stating, “Sioux Lookout recognizes that economic development in this era is about more than bricks, mortar and smokestacks – we are continuing to grow the knowledge-based economy, while continuing to foster growth in
traditional resource-based sectors.”