Sault gets top grade for Northern Ontario entrepreneurship

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

*************************** Sault earns high grades in national entrepreneur study

SAULT STE. MARIE - In all of Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie is the second most friendly to entrepreneurs, according to study from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). 

The 2010 research report, Communities in Boom: Canada’s Top Entrepreneurial Cities, looked at 12 indicators, including net business start ups, self-employment intensity and future business performance. 

On this front, not only was the Sault ranked No. 2 in the province behind the G.T.A., it earned the highest grade in Northern Ontario. 

Equally significant, Sault Ste. Marie moved up nearly 20 spots since the previous CFIB study, from 61st to 40th in the country, where almost every other community in the province moved in the opposite direction.

“Like the old car rental ad says, we’re No. 2, and we’ll try harder,” joked Tom Dodds, who, earlier this month, became the new CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. (SSMEDC), an organization that works to support local entrepreneurs, attract external businesses and increase visitation numbers.

“This survey indicates significant progress on a number of important fronts. There have been increased levels of entrepreneurial activity in the community, and there appears to be increased confidence here as well.”

The CFIB report indicated stronger business expectations in Sault Ste. Marie, and more owners said the state of their business was good in 2010, as compared to 2009.

“With a team approach, involving city council and staff, senior levels of government, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. and other local organizations, business development efforts over the past number of years are now paying dividends,” said Dodds, adding that there’s still much that can be done to continue to move in a positive direction.

“Our 2010 - 2013 strategic plan includes specific goals and objectives designed to support the global competitiveness of the community, which should further improve Sault Ste. Marie’s standing in future CFIB surveys.”

The SSMEDC is a non-profit organization comprised of three operating divisions: Business Sault Ste. Marie, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie and Corporate Services. 

Together, their primary goals are to create jobs, increase the municipal tax base and attract visitors to the community. 

In this regard, each division has various programs and services designed to achieve these goals.

Business Sault Ste. Marie, for instance, helped 25 small businesses start or expand operations in 2010, leading to the creation of more than 50 jobs. 

Working with larger industrial clients, the division also supported the development of a number of green energy projects last year, such as the solar panel manufacturing plant from Heliene Canada, which now employs 70 workers, the upcoming biomass cogeneration project at St. Marys Paper, which allowed the idle company to restart production, and the $360-million solar farm from Starwood Energy Group. 

In addition, Business Sault Ste. Marie has initiated a Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) initiative to assist existing local businesses. 

Also, last month, representatives from the SSMEDC joined Mayor Debbie Amaroso, who led a city delegation to India to meet Essar officials and owners, tour their facilities, and discuss future business opportunities for the community.

Meanwhile, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie took the lead in securing funds and facilitating the $11.02-million upgrade to the Agawa Canyon Train Tour, set to be complete and ready for riders this summers. 

The division was also responsible for working with local groups to attract a number of major events, including the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2010 Finn Grand Fest, 2011 OCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, 2011 Hap Ki Do Canadian Open, and 2012 Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey Association World Cup. 

The latter alone will see about 2,500 visitors here for one week, injecting up to $15 million into the local economy, which will make it the single largest international sporting event in the history of Northern Ontario.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is the largest association of small and medium-sized businesses in the country. 

To view its 2010 study, Communities in Boom: Canada’s Top Entrepreneurial Cities, click here.   *************************** ///