Report says Sault needs to face tough realities to succeed

Our economy is stagnant.

Our young people are leaving and that’s working against us.

Our health, well-being and education indicators are falling below acceptable standards.

Those are among the “difficult realities” Sault Ste. Marie must accept if it wants to change itself into a growing, vibrant city, says a report summary of recommendations that will be presented to council tonight.

The recommendations come from the Community Adjustment Committee, a $200,000 provincially-funded project announced in the wake of Essar Steel Algoma’s latest restructuring.

Among the specific recommendations contained in a 21-page summary included in tonight’s council package are:

• Enhance the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

• Encourage the college and university to establish new programs to attract students from outside the community, including emerging areas in information technology

• Pursue global tourism by developing ‘place-based’ tourism infrastructure and products, and support the Agawa Canyon Tour Train and Searchmont Resort.

• Get our poverty rate below the provincial average by 2027

• Be more safe, welcoming and inclusive

• Create a full-time city staff position to act as an advocate for the arts and cultural sector

• Market the Sault for film and digital media production

• Look at expanding the city’s recycling program, and establish a working group with companies and groups currently engaged in alternative energy to explore both the expansion and new energy technology opportunities 

The way forward, says the committee, is to focus on four areas:

• Economic growth and diversity
• Social equity
• Cultural vitality
• Environmental sustainability. 

The full report goes to council tonight and is expected, according to the summary, to be released at Futuressm.ca (Which doesn't go anywhere. Although we notice that Futuressm.com works).

SooToday will livestream tonight's city council meeting starting at 4:30 p.m.