The future prosperity of Wawa lies in revitalizing a natural attribute, its harbour, which once spawned its growth in the early 1900s.
Located about 240 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie on Lake Superior, the hard luck mining town of 3,600 has endured population troubles caused by the disappearance of about 200 well-paying mining jobs and the out-migration of families following the closure of the Algoma Ore Division in 1998.
Further blows were delivered this year with nearby layoffs at White River's Domtar plant, Dubreuil Forest Products and the closure of many small businesses due to high power rates.
"The town is in a depressed economic situation," admits Dianne Loubier, chair of the economic development corporation of Wawa, "you can see that with the people and the businesses closing."
The first step toward recovery was establishing the EDC about a year and half ago. The board of directors embarked upon a strategic plan involving a brainstorming session that produced a number of strategies and projects.
The top item on the priority list was redeveloping the nearby Michipicoten Harbour, used for decades for transporting iron ore from the Wawa mine.
Community leaders believe the area's economic recovery lies in reviving the dormant harbour, coinciding with the development of a trap-rock quarry by Superior Aggregates, a subsidiary of U.S. highway builder John Carlo Inc.
The company is pumping $7 million in investment over the next five years into the former ore and coal wharf to restore Michipicoten into a fully functioning port to move trap rock to the U.S., as well as help the community develop other economic and recreational initiatives.
"The harbour and Superior Aggregrates will be the catalyst to start the ball rolling," says Loubier. "If they proceed with their project we see all sorts of outcomes coming from that."
With a resolution from area mayors and reeves supporting the harbour development, the EDC is preparing a joint application with the Superior East Community Development Corp. and the Michipicoten First Nations to FedNor for funding to purchase cranes and other equipment to develop the port.
Though the project does face some ardent opposition from some environmentally-minded residents, the municipality is pressing ahead with a harbour zoning bylaw and site plan, and is drawing up a stewardship agreement with Superior Aggregates outlining conditions to meet the M-3 specifications.
The prospect of harbour development has already produced some early interest. Investors from Scandinavia and New York have toured the community and expressed interest in building a pre-fabricated home plant, a boat manufacturing mill and a cedar-shingle plant in Wawa.
EDC officials are scrambling to find space for them in the town's 27-acre industrial park, says Loubier, and hope to approach the government for infrastructure money to develop additional lots.
Besides harbour development, some long-term projects involve examining value-added wood products, developing more residential and commercial properties, attracting call centres, building an information technology centre, promoting Wawa as a venue to test outdoor recreational vehicles and exploring the area's agricultural potential.
Loubier says, based on discussions with corporate officials, Wawa is "next in line" on Bell Canada's short list to situate an inbound customer support call centre once the Sault market becomes saturated.
One building, previously occupied by a 75-seat call centre tenant, is "ready and available" for any incoming companies. The community is in the process of conducting a feasibility study examining the practicality of delivering an information technology facility and 911 emergency dispatch regional centre. The report should be complete within a few months.
The province kicked in $15,000 towards a $30,000-feasibility study to examine the possible creation of a telecommunications centre in Wawa. The Township of Michipicoten and Wawa Economic Development Corp. are paying for the balance.
The corporation is also interested in the practicality of including an IT training centre and a data warehouse for surrounding township files and GIS service technicians.
One small start-up company, whicholds much promise is Nor-Wa Manufacturing. The company began production at its Wawa facility last fall. The small company manufactures and sells hardwood pellets for use in pellet stoves. Several supply contracts with major Canadian retailers have been signed and export markets are being explored.
"We're working alongside them and we've entertained some of their clients looking at exporting hog fuel and pellets," says Loubier. "If we can get the harbour up and running, it will enhance his business two-fold."
The community is also optimistic about a proposed $30-million hardwood mill by the Buchanan Group of Thunder Bay, which could create 200 jobs. In 2001, the company lost its bid on the 20,000 cubic metres of wood allotment needed for the new mill, but now has been granted conditional approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
With a new minister in place, Loubier is hopeful the project will get underway soon.
Many feel the mill is what Wawa needs to stabilize the area's industrial base.
"We need to have a good hit to stabilize our economy," says Loubier. "We have businesses whose viability is at stake if we don't get something in here."
The EDC is also developing a marketing strategy and a comprehensive community profile on a CD format to present to prospective investors by year's end.
On the tourism front, Wawa hopes to capitalize on the town's name-recognition factor by concentrating on bringing the service industry and ecotourism players under one umbrella. They plan to market the natural attributes of the Great Lakes Heritage Coast and the Lake Superior Circle Tour in travel magazines and outdoor recreation tradeshows.
Jim Aquino, vice-chair of the town's tourism commission, says the town boasts of unique attractions such as the Heritage Walk, Mr. Vallee Park, Sir James Dunn's Eagle's Nest home, the
Magpie hiking trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park, beaches, scenic lookouts and area golf courses.
"It's a matter of promoting these things."
Volunteers are also working on striking partnerships with First Nations groups and local entrepreneurs to lure cruise ships to Wawa within a few years.
"With a single-industry resource town in Northern Ontario, what we have to do is be smarter and wiser with our dollars and make sure you capitalize when you do have an initiative."
Wawa must define a strategy to showcase its natural surroundings instead of commercialize it, says Aquino, as well as promote its fully-staffed new Lady Dunn Hospital, long-term care facility and its underutilized airport.
Aquino expects the commission will come forward to initiate major feasibility studies for the whole area.
Municipal infrastructure is also being upgraded with Northern Ontario Heritage Fund announcing a conditional contribution of $358,400 in June to enhance recreation facilities, fire protection and road infrastructure by upgrading the arena heating system, replacing community centre doors, repairing the fire hall and reconstructing Queen Street.
