The City of Elliot Lake, located 30 kilometres north of Lake Huron in the Algoma District, and nestled midway between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, is a community well known for its early successes in the mining industry and re-establishment as a leader in retirement living. The City has a population of just over 10,700 with an average age of 53, 4,000 persons in the labour force, and employment sectors similar to other northeastern communities.
What makes the community of Elliot Lake unique is the natural setting. Located in the Canadian Shield, the City is surrounded by dense forest, over 4,000 lakes, rivers, and hills of Precambrian bedrock. The geographical area of Elliot Lake extends over 700 square kilometres, creating a wealth of opportunity for eco- and geo-tourism, including angling, hunting, ATV and snowmobiling, and cross-country and downhill skiing, with hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and untouched wilderness to explore.
In recent years, the City of Elliot Lake has been making strides to improve and expand its assets to recapture part of the growing tourism market in northeastern Ontario.
The City is investing in a Tourism Strategy to guide them in the process. The City is investing in a complete redevelopment of the Elliot Lake boat launch as a tourism nodal point.
The project involves an accessible boardwalk, a 50-metre fishing pier, new boat launch ramps, marina docking, and landscaping.
It’s an investment of over $850,000 with the City funding 30% of project costs, while NOHFC and FedNor support the project at 28% and 42%, respectively. Phase 1 of the project (installation of the boardwalk) was completed this fall, with Phase 2 (fishing pier, boat ramps, and marina docking) scheduled for completion in the summer of 2019. This project will allow for improved access for all water activities.
The redevelopment is anticipated to bring economic opportunity for business development in the tourism sector.
In addition to spending in the tourism sector, the City of Elliot Lake has been making improvements in its investment readiness to attract new investment to the community.
The City is ‘open for business’ and is continually working to respond to queries in the retail and commercial areas, as well as industrial and manufacturing opportunities.
The City is developing a new section of an existing industrial park with an investment of over $500,000 to provide nine fully serviced lots to the land inventory to promote development in the light industrial and manufacturing sectors. The City currently has 25 commercial/industrial sites available for sale today, starting as low as $15,000 an acre.
The City’s economic development department and CAO’s office work closely with all investment-related inquiries to make doing business in Elliot Lake as streamlined as possible. The City of Elliot Lake’s Council is in support of business development and diversification to create the best climate for development opportunities. There are incentive programs for existing businesses through the newly revamped Community Improvement Plan, with additional support provided by organizations such as the Elliot Lake and North Shore Corporation for Business Development and the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation.
There are signs of growth and excitement throughout the community with public and private sector investments being made in a multitude of sectors including tourism, retail, manufacturing, health care, residential and commercial. Come see why doing business in Elliot Lake provides the perfect work/life balance.
For information, please contact Ashten Vlahovich at 705-848-2287, ext. 2134 or avlahovich@city.elliotlake.on.ca, or visit www.cityofelliotlake.com.
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