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EDC denied advance copy of third-party review

Sorry, EDC. You'll get the report at the exact same time as everyone else.
20160411 EDC Tom Dodds City Council Chambers KA
EDC CEO Tom Dodds expects the review may make suggestions about new opportunities to pursue. But he's not worried about any kind of general indictment of the Sault's economic development efforts. File photo by Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

Initial findings from a performance review of the city's economic development activities will be presented to City Council on Monday.

Last month, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. president Robert Reid said he would seek a courtesy copy of the third-party report before it went to city councillors. 

This week, the EDC's board learned that its request has been rebuffed.

EDC officials will see the draft report from MDB Insight at the exact same time as everyone else — when it's posted online tomorrow as part of the City Council agenda.

Tom Dodds, EDC chief executive officer, tells SooToday that the organization has previously undergone similar reviews.

Dodds expects MDB Insight may make suggestions about additional opportunities to be pursued, but he's not worried about any kind of general indictment of the Sault's economic development efforts.

Data presented at an EDC board meeting on Monday suggested that the independent not-for-profit agency is punching above its weight when it comes to scoring Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. (NOHFC) funding.

With a population of 75,141, Sault Ste. Marie got $48.8 million from NOHFC from 2013 through 2016, compared to:

  • $86.4 million for Sudbury (population 160,275)
  • $53.9 million for Thunder Bay (population 109,140)
  • $36.6 million for North Bay (population 64,043)
  • $16.2 million for Timmins (population 43,165)

When ranked according to NOHFC dollars approved per capita, Sault Ste. Marie emerged as #1 among Northern Ontario cities, with $650 approved per capita, compared to:

  • $571 for North Bay (#2)
  • $539 for Sudbury (#3)
  • $494 for Thunder Bay (#4)
  • $374 for Timmins (#5)

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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