MineConnect’s innovative approach to supporting their member’s expansion and growth is moving ahead as planned. The project in Elko, Nevada, which is managed by MineConnect on behalf of Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC), brings 10 northern Ontario mining supply companies to a storefront in the heart of the Nevada mining landscape. The storefront is meant to give Ontario businesses the chance to connect with U.S. mining companies in the mining-rich area of northern Nevada.
First Round Starts in the Fall
The initial ten MineConnect member businesses are ready to take their places in Elko, Nevada in the fall. The chosen businesses have committed to having an in-person presence at least once a month. It is expected that they will have more access to bidding on Nevada mining projects that would otherwise be more difficult to gain access to.
Nevada officials are expecting that MineConnect’s presence will help to solve some of their supply chain challenges and result in more jobs for local workers.
Storefront Will Be Ready
According to Marla Tremblay, Executive Director of MineConnect, the project is on-track to open on time. “We will have our new office space and in-market rep secured by the end of August,” she says.
The first round of businesses will be able to take advantage of the storefront presence for one year and then the hope is that they have enough of a foothold in the Nevada market that they can venture off on their own.
“We will be accepting applications for round 2 in March of 2022,” says Marla. “In the meantime, any northern Ontario MSS companies who will be attending MINEXpo in Vegas in September should notify us in advance. We can then communicate details about our activities during the event, COVID permitting of course.”
MineConnect is a member-led industry cluster that helps to connect northern Ontario mining supply companies to national and international opportunities. For more information about MineConnect’s various projects, including the Nevada storefront, please visit them online or email tremblay@mineconnect.com.