This week ELNOS hosted the Northern Economic Forum in Elliot Lake. Our goal was to connect northern communities and reflect on the past few years and the lessons we have learned. We had an excellent line-up of speakers from across the ELNOS Region and Northern Ontario. Topics included Cybersecurity, Remote Work, Pandemic Repayments, the Mississagi Park Partnership, and the affects of COVID-19 on Community Tourism Assets.

On May 29th we started the conference with some community tours. One group went on a closed mine tour guided by BHP and learned about what happens when a mine closes, how the companies work to restore the environment, and how they are able to give back to the community. Another group went on a Retirement Living tour around Elliot Lake — which was fascinating and informative even if you already live here! These tours are an important opportunity for Retirement Living to get feedback on the first impressions of our Region and what we can do to make the community more attractive and inviting. The third group went on a beautiful self-guided tour of Stone Ridge Golf Course (aka they went golfing) — surprisingly only a few signed up for this option, but we suppose the black flies played a part in the decision making for the tours.

After the tours there was some time for our guests to relax, check in, and explore the community on their own. In the evening we hosted a networking night at the Hampton to connect and get to know each other better before a day of learning. The City of Elliot Lake hosted a pop-up museum and the Rotary Club (including a past ELNOS summer student!) & Fireside helped us out with food & drink.

The day started early on the 30th with a quick breakfast at 8am (note to self: make sure the person picking up the Tim Horton’s coffee actually drinks coffee or it will be forgotten…) before starting the sessions at 8:30. With short breaks in between each session as well as snacks and lunch, we kept a tight schedule of learning until 4pm so travelers could get home at a decent hour. Here are a few take-aways from the sessions:

Length trumps complexity when creating a digital password

Remote workers need good wifi, access to nature, and a few good hole-in-the-wall food options

The struggles businesses are facing in covid repayments speaks to a larger issue about finances

Choose the right partners with mutual goals and just keep working until you make it

Be financially prepared for the unexpected by creating a reserve of funds

Events like these don’t happen without many hands and lots of support! A huge thank you to our sponsors: AWIC, East Algoma CFDC, the City of Elliot Lake, and Elliot Lake Retirement Living. We are also thankful for Special Occasions and Fireside for catering the various meals and the Rotary for running the bar on the 29th and Tim Horton’s for coffee on the 30th. The Hampton staff were wonderful to work with and made sure everything was ready for us each day, as well as our tour guides at BHP, Retirement Living, & Stone Ridge Golf Course.