By Rosalind Russell – Elliot Lake council has given its approval to the hiring of a consultant firm to put together a new economic strategy for the city.
Council has approved the hiring of McSweeney and Associates out of Nepean to develop the five-year plan.
The Economic Development Department received approval from Council in July 2025 to apply to the Rural Ontario Development Program for the development of an Economic Development Strategy and were granted $50,000 to proceed with the project.
Of the $100,000 budget for the project, staff budgeted $95,000 for the engagement of a consulting firm with the additional $5,000 allocated to marketing for the survey, mailers and miscellaneous costs for town halls and stakeholder engagement.
The current strategy was completed in 2012 and no longer reflects present economic conditions or opportunities, so the new document will provide a forward-looking plan to guide economic growth over the next five years.
Officials say the successful consultant will develop a strategy that: supports sustainable economic growth and diversification; identifies investment attraction opportunities; strengthens business retention and expansion; supports workforce development and talent attraction, and establishes clear implementation actions and measurable outcomes
The strategy will also position Elliot Lake within the Northern Ontario economic landscape and identify opportunities for regional and Indigenous partnerships.
There will also be public consultation throughout the process.
Screenshot of Elliot Lake Council by Rosalind Russell
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