Elliot Lake's Economic Development Manager Steve Antunes was centre stage Monday afternoon as he updated the city's economic development committee on his department's plans and projects heading into 2022.
In the virtual meeting, Antunes talked about research the department did last year on other communities' Site Plan Agreements and Community Initiatives Programs (CIP's), as Elliot Lake looks to refresh ours.
He noted the city coupled with Big Fish Graphics late last year by sponsoring the winter Shop, Eat, Enjoy campaign which reduced the price of advertising for businesses wanting to participate in the shop local campaign.
Also last year, the committee pitched the accessibility advisory committee urging re-installation of sensory equipment (chimes and drums) at Westview Park.
Economic development is continuing to work on the Community Leaders in Accessibility Project aimed a getting local businesses to move forward with fully accessible shopping.
The city was successful in landing a $60,000 Inclusive Community Project grant last year which paid for an upgrade to picnic tables and benches on public land, and provided funds for mobility charging stations.
Pathways to picnic tables are slated to be completed this coming spring.
Antunes said a new round of funding recently opened up and he plans to meet with the Accessibility Committee looking for potential projects.
Two other grant pitches last year, for a Healthy Communities Initiative and a Seniors Community Planning Grant, were unsuccessful.
Looking ahead, economic development staff members are working with Public Works to get an updated cost and timeline to service the Fox Drive industrial project.
Antunes said the area can be developed adjacent to Perini Road without the need for an additional substation.
Council has approved adjustments to lots on Fox Drive as new surveys have been ordered to complete purchase and sale agreements for new landowners.
"Land investment inquiries, it's been a blessing for the city. We've been doing well. We're still getting a lot of interest coming in," said Antunes.
"Seventy-two agreements of purchase sale were brought to council in January," he went on.
"We will look at some areas in town that we can ask council to declare surplus lands to make available for both commercial and residential," concluded the economic development head.
Committee Chair Tom Turner suggested another look at Elliot Lake's tourism strategy.
Mayor Dan Marchisella said one reason it's important is for leveraging funding from senior governments.
"Say you wanted to add an extra feature to the lookout tower or the waterfront development; it makes it that much more difficult to get money from the funders," the mayor said.
"But if you have a (tourism) strategy, it's much easier to apply to the province and the feds."
Last year the city purchased vacant land at Beaver Mountain which runs off Highway 108 at Milliken Line Road, away from Elliot Lake. That land has been surveyed.
Coun. Sandy Finamore asked about the next steps for the property.
No zoning designation has been applied to the Beaver Mountain parcel.
Mayor Marchisella said, "I think we have an opportunity to look at estate lots being really close to our waterfront feature."
He was against selling the land for industrial use.
Turner wanted to get the word out that the land is available. He said it's a case of, "whether we're looking for residential land or whether we're looking for commercial."