Future plans Community starts planning for the future

Ken Johnston

About 40 people attended a strategic planning session hosted by the Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday.
The evening was the first step in working towards ways of improving the economy of Rainy River and was facilitated by the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.
Geoff Gillon, Economic Development Officer with RRFDC, welcomed everyone and then introduced Jim Cumming of Fort Frances who lead the session with a timeline for Rainy River. He asked everyone to recall both positive and negative things that have happened in Rainy River over the last 20 years.
On the positive side people remembered the bridge toll going off the international bridge (1989), the start of the pumpkin festival, RRWT, the opening of Beaver Mills, Lowes Furniture, Credit Union, the Gasthaus, new OPP station, new hospital, new customs, internet and cell service coming on stream, and most recently the major renovations to Rainy River High School.
On the negative side memories relived the CNR run-through, the failures of Globeco and Koeneman industries to get off the ground, the closure of Bebé Sues and Lifestyles, SARS, Iraq War, BSE, Walmart opening and the U.S. dollar losing strength.
Cumming then pointed to the positive noting, “A lot of really positive things happened in Rainy River. People invested in businesses, government helped with infrastructure like cell phones. There is confidence with people and government (for Rainy River), let’s look at ways we can build on that.”
Those in attendance then split up to brainstorm Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Strengths recognized by the groups include, M.O.M.’s Way, toll-free border crossing, local papers, cheap housing, great volunteers, tourism, natural resources abound, good community facilities, school coop with Baudette, extensive retail, strong agricultural sector, safe community, birders heaven, good healthcare, fishing, hunting, strong community spirit, climate, industrial buildings available (Koeneman and Globeco).
Weaknesses, frequent power outages, lack of industry, aging population, out migration of youth, mediocre customer service at businesses, flooding, lack of coordination amongst volunteer groups, out-shopping, negative attitudes, lack of community support, limited trading area due to proximity to the US border, vacant and derelict buildings, government red tape, limited shopping selection, lack of understanding by public to the value of shopping local, low property values, no bus service, dwindling school enrollments, too much infighting, local news needs to be distributed farther away, poor cell service, poor US and Canada relationships affect local trade, lack of assisted living, lack of child care.
Opportunities, develop childcare, attract industries, all season serviced community, develop Hannam Park, an affordable shuttle service, assisted living, invite artists to come and live here (cheap housing) and create an art festival, focus on a main attraction, passport office, wind energy, market vacant industrial buildings better, market the positives of our community, bait farming, fence post manufacturing, develop ice fishing industry, tap into bird watching, value added wood products, have a RR Pride day to build positive attitudes/feelings, coordinate the promotion of all big events under one umbrella (give tourists a reason to come here more than once a year), get through tourist traffic to stop, retirement living, improve customer services, internet café, community brochure (better self promotion).
Threats to RR economy, doing nothing, bridge closed, passport requirement, doctor(s) leave, facilities (i.e. Rec. Centre, Schools, etc.) close, amalgamation of entire district, dwindling tax base, collapse of the fishery, lack of vision for the future, dwindling population, not capitalizing on the strategic planning sessions, loss of more retail businesses, terrorism, public/business apathy, negative attitudes, area mills closing, Solvay closing, more government regulations, increased policing costs, alienating ourselves from neighbours, crumbling infrastructure, ineffective leadership, infighting.
Gillon said his office will take what came from the session Wednesday and collate the data. Then they will return and work with the Chamber and then the Town’s industrial development committee.
Former Mayor and former business owner, Gord Armstrong commended everyone for coming out. “Taking this kind of approach takes courage. It is like walking on eggshells and can create problems as well as solve them.” Armstrong is also sitting on the town’s industrial development committee.