The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation found promise of bigger and better business this past week, recieving a $220,643 investment by FedNor for the creation of an industrial/commercial park in the area.
Funding will allow Atikameksheng Anishnawbek to hire a project manager to work with engineers, and organize community consultations on designs, developing governance, leasing policies and working with potential tenants.
The commercial space will be located on reserve land, 19 km west of Downtown Sudbury on the shores of Lake Panache.
The area has been identified as having a lack of commercial space available for private or community-owned enterprises, as stated in a press release, an economic gap that now resolved, should mean opportunity for the entire community.
The funding was announced by Nickel Belt MPP Marc Serre April 24 on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
“I am pleased that our government’s investment is helping the community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek to move toward economic sustainability by fostering job and business development," said Serre. "Given the community’s close proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway and regional mining activity, the park infrastructure will lay the foundation for community economic development.”
Since 2015, the Government of Canada has supported 553 projects in Northern Ontario, investing $180 million through FedNor and an additional $311 million leveraged from other sources. An additional $62 million has been allocated to FedNor to further strengthen Northern Ontario's economy and create more middle-class jobs for Canadians.
Find the Government of Canada's approach to including the region in the national Innovation and Skills Plan, in the Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario.
