President’s Message

Fort Frances and District is standing at the open door of a brilliant growth opportunity.

Our community and area holds a unique position in Canada and the global community as recently recognized by the National Geographic Society.  We have a distinct culture, history and surrounding environment which most of the world envies.  It is time for us to talk about these things and show the world what a fantastic place we live in!  We may take much of it for granted, but for visitors, it opens up a myriad of exciting new experiences, adventures, and discoveries.

Often local people do not see tourism as a viable lead industry here, but in truth, tourism growth profits in Ontario have outstripped mining, forestry, and manufacturing combined.  Communities like ours across North America which have lost their primary industries have rebounded as better, stronger and more economically stable than before by embracing tourism and recreating themselves.  Kenora, without a new large industry, is an excellent example of this.  They have worked smart and hard to capitalize on their tourism potential and it is now a place people want to live in and visit.  It has become a destination.  Fort Frances and District can take ownership of developing the wonderful untapped resources we have, attract many more visitors, and create a new economic driver.  If or when new industry comes to the area we will have lost nothing, just made ourselves stronger.

The Chamber is the voice of business in Fort Frances and has the ability to strengthen the future of our business sector.  With input and participation from our membership, we are about to embark on several new tasks including the development of a strategic plan to provide a foundation and clear objectives to move forward.

The Chamber will, of course, continue to provide, participate and partner with all the previous endeavours including the Business Awards, the Business & Community Expo, Market Thursdays, Canada Day, Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, and Quest for the Best, to name just a few.

Cathy Emes, President