MBiz

SPRING 2019 11 When you visit The Pas and OCN, the first thing you notice is that the air is fresh, the forest is thick, and the Saskatchewan River that bisects the two communities looks markedly similar to the Red River that winds through Winnipeg. Then you meet the people who call the northern town and First Nation home, and you feel warmth and hopefulness. You sense community connectedness and pride when you hear story after story from locals who came to the area on a short- term teaching, nursing, or construction contract "all those years ago," and just never left. "This region has so much opportunity and promise," says Jennifer Cooke, general manager of the local newspaper, The Opasquia Times, and vice-president of The Pas & District Chamber of Commerce. "As I drove the highway in to town 25 years ago, it seemed so remote, and I couldn't believe I was moving here. But I'm still here. I've made a great life for myself and my daughters, and the potential for others to do the same is definitely here." On April 24 and 25, 2019, more than 20 members of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) boarded Calm Air flight MO126 bound for two full days of tours of local operations, meetings with business and community leaders to explore potential relationships and alliances, and for some, a first-time, eye-opening visit to a northern community. "This is the second economic development tour the MCC has hosted, and it was productive," says Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President & CEO. "Our delegates had a jam-packed itinerary, including presentations from OCN leaders and The Pas elected officials, and from regional economic development professionals, who showcased current initiatives, needs, goals, as well as investment opportunities." The delegation toured University College of the North, a provider of educational options ranging from one-day soft skills training to four-year bachelor of nursing and education degrees. The group was also treated to tours of successful local businesses such as Canadian Kraft Paper Industries — a sustainably-operated paper mill that has risen from the ashes to employ more than 300 people; Otineka Mall — a 250,000-square-foot shopping centre and the largest mall in the North; and the OCN LED Smart Farm, a sophisticated joint operation with University of Manitoba researchers that grows fortified vegetables and fruit year-round in a 1,100-square-foot space at the back of the bingo hall. "Our community utilizes LED Smart Farm technology to support local nutritious food growth and promote food security, and we've seen our produce come out four to seven times more nutritious than what's in the grocery store," says Stephanie Cook, Smart Farm technician. "Our goal is to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in the number of imported vegetables and a 20 per cent reduction in community diabetes rates by 2023." The harvest is provided free of charge to local community members — more than 60 per cent of whom are living with diabetes. The goal is to take the operation to the next level, and to help other northern communities implement the technology. Best of all, the project is still in the running for the federal government's Smart Cities Challenge, with the potential for a $10-million prize. Participants also heard from Jamie Wilson, VP, Corporate Development, Arctic Gateway Group, a partnership of Manitoba and Nunavut First Nations and Northern communities, Fairfax, and AGT Food and Ingredients.

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