Incentive Programs Now Available

The town of Fort Frances and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation is promoting a series of financial incentive programs to bolstering the local economy.

Regional Economic Development Officer Geoff Gillon says a new diversification development program is among them.

"This is a program for new businesses in sectors like manufacturing, machining or environmental technologies," says Gillon. "It's not designed for retail or service businesses so they're not eligible. We want businesses that are non-competitive. We want new businesses that will come to town and bring new money and new jobs."

Eligible businesses can receive receive rebates on a portion of municipal charges associated with building or demolition and partial tax relief on the new value.

Another program is aimed at redeveloping commercial lands in Fort Frances that currently don't meet environmental standards.

Gillon says the Brownsfield Development program will provide tax relief to help clean those areas up.

"This tax relief under this program could be a long a five year and up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of remediation," says Gillon. "It's in partnership with the province and its for old sites such as old gas stations or industrial properties."

Gillon says there are a number of vacant properties in the town where that financial assistance program could apply.