Economic development, tourism & Marathon’s future

My answer

I’ve lived in Marathon for more than 35 years, so I’ve seen our community through economic highs and lows. I’ve seen what happens when major industries change, and I believe one of the most important things we can do is continue diversifying our economy while building on the strengths we already have.

Mining remains an important part of our economic future. Hemlo is a major regional employer, and Generation Mining represents an important developing opportunity for our area. I believe the Town should maintain strong, respectful communication with industry partners, understand their workforce and infrastructure needs, and look for opportunities where collaboration benefits both the companies and the wider community.

But economic development cannot be about one industry alone.

We already have tremendous assets here. We sit on the North Shore of Lake Superior, with Pukaskwa National Park nearby and Neys and White Lake Provincial Parks in our region. We have Pebble Beach, our Stanley Thompson-designed Peninsula Golf Course, the Group of Seven connection and trail systems, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Many of the organizations that help make those experiences possible are volunteer-led and operate with limited dollars — groups such as the Marathon Sno-Kickers, the Rod and Gun Club, trail organizations and other local clubs. Their volunteers contribute to recreation, tourism, community identity and quality of life. I believe Council should recognize that value and support these organizations wherever it reasonably can within municipal policy, budget and scope — through partnership, promotion, access to appropriate resources, and support for outside funding opportunities when possible.

We also have significant opportunities through the Peninsula Harbour Port. The Port Authority is a formal partnership between the Town of Marathon and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, and it is a good example of what can happen when communities work together. More broadly, strong and respectful relationships with both Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg are important to the economic and social future of our entire region.

The opportunity I see is connecting all of these pieces — industry, tourism, the port, our outdoor assets, local businesses, volunteer organizations, housing and regional partnerships — rather than treating them as separate files.

How do we make Marathon more than somewhere people drive through on Highway 17? How do we encourage someone visiting Pukaskwa, Neys or White Lake to come into Marathon, stay another night, eat at our restaurants, shop locally, play a round of golf, explore our trails — and come back? That’s economic development too.

Attracting investment also means making sure we are ready for it. Housing is a major part of that. We cannot successfully recruit workers, health-care professionals, businesses or young families if people cannot find somewhere appropriate to live.

Quality of life matters too. People do not choose a community based only on where they can work. They look at housing, health care, schools, childcare, recreation, infrastructure, outdoor opportunities and whether they can see themselves building a life there.

I want Marathon to be an across-the-lifespan community — somewhere young adults can begin their careers, families can raise their children, businesses can grow, visitors want to return, and older adults can remain connected to the community as they age.

Council cannot create an economy by itself. What it can do is help create the conditions that support growth: good planning, reliable infrastructure, housing, strong partnerships, responsible development, outside funding, support for tourism and volunteer-led community assets, and being ready when opportunities come.

For me, economic development is not about chasing one big thing. It is about building on what we already have, strengthening the relationships that make growth possible, diversifying where we can, and giving people reasons to come to Marathon — and reasons to stay.