It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it usually spells good news. All three levels of government along with the private sector came together to announced plans for a long awaited deep port harbour for Sault Ste. Marie.
“This is a game changer for this community” Commented CAO Joe Fratesi.
Mayor Debbie Amaroso couldn’t be happier. The deep port harbour is expected to bring in millions of dollars to the city and create jobs.
Member of Parliament Bryan Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie), on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), announced today an investment that will help create jobs, maximize industrial growth and competitiveness, and strengthen the economy of Northern Ontario.
This Harper Government investment of $2,120,000 will support the planning and design of a public deep harbour port to modernize industrial docking facilities and increase shipping capacity in the Sault Ste. Marie region. The funding will assist with project planning and preparation, environmental assessment, and consultation with appropriate First Nation and Aboriginal organizations.
Ontario is helping Sault Ste. Marie move forward on its plan to increase the capacity of its harbour, enabling the city to meet the import and export needs of regional industries, David Orazietti MPP announced today.
“By investing in the next phase of Sault Ste. Marie’s harbour expansion project, our government is determined to help position our region for future growth and job creation,” said Orazietti. “Our NOHFC program has provided over $80 million to numerous initiatives in our city since 2003 and today we are investing in an important project that will help grow the area’s industrial sector.”
With a $2,120,000 million investment from the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the City of Sault Ste. Marie will complete project planning and preparation for the expansion of the local harbour. The project includes completing site plans, conducting Aboriginal consultations, as well as an environmental assessment, which will lead to significant job creation when fully completed.
Building economic opportunities is part of the government’s plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
