Economic boost needed to revive town. (Communities of the North: Wawa).The Township of Michipicoten, which includes the town of Wawa, is not doing so well these days. In fact, even Reeve REEVE. The name of an ancient English officer of justice, inferior in rank to an alderman. 2. He was a ministerial officer, appointed to execute process, keep the king's peace, and put the laws in execution. Doug Woods Doug Wood was a former Scottish footballer who played with Derry City F.C. in the Irish League.[1] He also managed the club for a year as player-manager between July 1971 and July 1972. References 1. ^ Mahon, Eddie (1998). , who's been Reeve for a total of 15 years, is not optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op about the future. One of the few good things happening is Superior Aggregates' plans for trap-rock mining. The company--a division of the DeCarlo Group from Detroit, Mich. is currently doing dock repairs and plans to start shipping trap rock Trap rock is a form of plutonic igneous rock that tends to form polygonal vertical fractures, most typically hexagonal, but also four to eight sided. The fracture pattern forms when magma of suitable chemical composition (typically basaltic) intrudes as a sill or extrudes as a in the spring. The company will employ about 18 people. That is good news for a town that has been hit hard since Algoma Steel ''See also Algoma (Disambiguation) Algoma Steel Corporation (TSX: AGA) was founded in 1902 by Francis Clergue, an American entrepreneur who had settled in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. closed its Algoma Ore division in 1998 leaving the municipality MUNICIPALITY. The body of officers, taken collectively, belonging to a city, who are appointed to manage its affairs and defend its interests. without an industry and a loss of about 500 residents. Chris Wray, chief administrative officer A chief administrative officer (CAO) is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations. The CAO is one of the highest ranking members of an organization, managing daily operations and usually reporting directly to the chief executive and clerk for the Township of Michipicoten agrees the town is in poor shape economically. Woods says the region's hydro rates have likely been the highest in the province and points out that the government's recent rate-capping announcement means little for area residents and businesses since less than one-third of the charges on bills are affected by those reductions. Wray agrees that the hydro issue is at the forefront right now. "Our increases were 85 per cent," he says. A newly formed group POWER (People Opposing Whitewashing Electrical Rates) has set out an action plan that includes withholding payment to Great Lakes Great Lakes, group of five freshwater lakes, central North America, creating a natural border between the United States and Canada and forming the largest body of freshwater in the world, with a combined surface area of c.95,000 sq mi (246,050 sq km). Power in hopes of finding some solutions to the problem. "With these rates, there's no question some of our businesses will close," Wray says. There are currently about 200 traditional and home-based businesses in the Wawa area serving a population of 3600. Major employers in the area include Weyerhauser Strandboard, which employs 150. About 60 of the 180 employees of River Gold Mines are from Wawa, as are many of Dubreuil Forest Products' 150 employees. Wray says the town is still hopeful that the Ministry of Natural Resources' surplus hardwood proposal will result in the announcement of a new mill within the town. An environmental assessment process is underway for a new waterworks waterworks: see water supply. project that must be completed by 2004. The town is expecting funding from both the federal and provincial government for the $10 million project, but their share will still be $1.5 million to $2 million and will result in increases to water rates. Dan Friyia, general manager for Superior East Community Futures Development Corp. (SECFDC), says Wawa is yet another northern community that has been losing its youth and has seen businesses suffering. While Friyia's office looks at small-business loans and sees individual clients--they provide an estimated eight to 10 loans a year--they also deal with such regional issues as securing cellular phone service and aircraft carrier service. The town's tourism industry is stable and doing well, notes Wray. "We have a four-season tourism industry and it's a big bonus to have that," Wray says. He also noted a newly incorporated economic development corporation (EDC EDC See: Export Development Corp. ), chaired by Woods is going through the process of developing a strategic plan. One of the group's goals will be encouraging new business in the area.
WAWA
Population 3,668
Main Employer/ Weyerhaueser
Private Sector
Top 5 Employers Weyerhaeuser, River Gold, North
AlgomaGold HealthOrganization,
AlgomaSchool Board, MNR
Area of Community 417.75 sq. kms
Municipal Taxes commercial occupied-*0.04643038
(base average) industrial occupied-0.04852499
(*-low band-0-50,000 assessment)
Commercial real estate n/p
market: what is it like?
Land Values n/p
Industrial Park Light to heavy industrial, approx.
(serviced or unserviced) 25 lots just under an acrein size
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