Fort William First Nation wants to reach its full potential for economic development.
The community is reaching out to its members to build a five-year economic plan to make that happen.
Acting economic development coordinator Renee Boucher said it's important to find out what's important to the community to make sure Fort William First Nation helps everyone from students to entrepreneurs to maximize economic development. So far the responses have focused on retail, property development and construction.
"Those seem to be the highest responses," she said.
But it doesn't end there.
Boucher said the community has a huge advantage because it's so close to Thunder Bay ,a great way to find business partnerships. Mining, forestry, fishing and even tourism can also be tapped into because the community is part of the hub of Northwestern Ontario. There's also opportunity to find new businesses and find ways to help the ones that already exist.
"That is a huge piece, being able to provide the supports to them so that they can tap into the economy as well," Boucher said.
Responses from the community have been slow so far. Boucher is hoping to hear from more people before the initial consultation wraps up in February.
Chief Georjann Morriseau said the five-year plan is a roadmap but it's only as good as the community support that goes into it.
"This is their community and we want the plan to be successful. It's up to them to take that responsibility as well to participate," she said.
"This plan is going to benefit them and their children and their grandchildren," she said.
A good plan will make sure everyone in the community is prosperous she said.
