Consensus of mayors on issues indicates co-operation possible.

North Bay is well-positioned for economic growth, if a significant increase in the amount of new building permits the city is experiencing is any indicator, says Mayor Vic Fedeli.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fedeli says that, in the last few years, building permits had pretty much levelled off around the $30-million mark. However, according to new data obtained in late June, the number had jumped to around $43 million, and Fedeli says the city is well on its way towards issuing $60 million in new permits.

Fedeli attributes the level of growth to new approaches in the way the city conducts its business. He says that the city's decision to disband its separate economic development office and replace it with a new mayor's office of economic development will make it easier for new businesses to approach the city.

Fedeli claims that the new office will avoid duplication and make one centre off contact, so that businesses avoid a long process.

Although provincial regulations prohibit direct incentives to businesses to relocate to different communities-a decision Fedeli says it is not without good reason-he believes that a good, positive atmosphere for business can act as its own incentive.

North Bay is currently working on several major projects, the first being the conversion of an existing Canadian Forces base into a data centre. Fedeli says the project is well underway. Council has approached Bell and is already meeting with significant partners in the venture.

Council is also on its way to developing the city's waterfront in order to attract new businesses and investment. The last project is the development of an industrial park where council can sell the land at $1 an acre to commercial operators. The city is presently awaiting a legal opinion from their solicitor on the legality of the deal. Fedeli is also convinced that growth does not have to be confined to simply North Bay. Having returned from several meetings over the past six months with the other major urban mayors and MPP Rick Bartolucci, Fedeli believes that co-operation is possible on issues that are "generic in nature."

Fedeli says that co-operation can also be on issues that affect the entire Northern Ontario economy.

"I mean, we had great support from all the communities when we were pushing for further development on Ontario Northland, even though a couple of the larger communities aren't served by them. What's good for one area of the North is good for all of the North," Fedeli says.

The fact that all of the urban mayors could agree on a common document containing economic questions for Bartolucci at a recent meeting is evidence that co-operation is possible.

By JOSEPH QUESNEL

Northern Ontario Business