Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.
Mining supply and service companies in the northwest want to take baby steps toward forming an industry cluster group.
A study commissioned by the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) revealed there isn’t enough of a groundswell of support toward establishing a mining supply association, but there’s definite interest in opportunities for professional development.
The study is an expansion of a survey started by the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce a year ago. With funding from FedNor, NOACC hired Crupi Consulting to survey more than 200 mining-related businesses who have indicated they were not in favour of an association at this time.
Thunder Bay chamber president Charla Robinson said companies are willing to support an “event-based” cluster; such staging topical workshops, educational seminars and luncheons; which may lay the foundation for an association down the road.
Robinson said there’s a high level of interest in the cluster idea, but there remain many questions on what the organization would look like, and how much value they would derive in exchange for a membership fee.