Blind River council is looking for members for its newly-established Corporate Strategic Economic Development committee.
Town council, at its meeting Monday evening, approved the terms of reference that will govern how the committee will operate during a one-year term.
The committee will be made up of representatives of council along with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, business, tourism, education, seniors and, residents interested in planning future initiatives for Blind River.
It will work in an advisory capacity to develop plans for council consideration as it grapples with ways to improve the community for existing and new residents, businesses and tourism.
Assisting in the development are consultants Jovette Morin and Marla Tremblay of consulting firm bakertilley which prepared the strategic plan recently approved by council.
Consultants Morin and Tremblay outlined the work in putting together a strategic plan for Blind River at a public meeting on the process held in January. The findings of the plan were put together through an online survey that garnered 400 respondents, public meetings, and input from a committee from various aspects of the community, including business.
The consultants have also outlined specific procedures to obtain the goals in the plan. Issues found in the plan included improvements in tourism initiatives as a specific area that should be improved particularly with the town’s location between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie and the recreation facilities already in place in Blind River.
Another area that was dealt with in the plan and will probably be dealt with by the new committee is concerns over vacant buildings in the business core and ways for businesses to set up shop in Blind River.
The town is taking applications for the committee, which can be found on its website with an application deadline set for Feb. 14. Also on the website is the report on the findings of the study.