Atikokan Revitalization Initiative

Resolute Forest Products in Atikokan, Ontario, is crediting Atikokan Economic Development Corporation with helping the company grow its sawmill operations in the small community west of Thunder Bay.  Having exhausted the limited supply of local labour, the forestry company sought to bring in Ukrainian nationals who were fleeing their war-torn country. The challenge was finding local accommodations, and that's when it turned to the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) for help.

"Garry McKinnon at the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation made a few calls and then called me to say that he had an idea that could work," says Scott Manford, Human Resources and Safety Superintendent, Resolute Forest Products.

"Our organization had been maintaining the Atikokan Hotel after the former owner defaulted on its loan six years ago," explains Garry McKinnon, Executive Director, AEDC. "We had held onto it because it was a valuable community asset. It turned out to be the solution Resolute Forest Products needed so we leased it to the company to house some of its new employees."

AEDC is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario supported by FedNor.  It offers free business counselling, loans for start-up and expansion of small businesses, strategic planning on local projects and community economic development in its catchment area.

Working in partnership with Resolute Forest Products, AEDC quickly assembled a team to prepare the empty hotel for occupancy. The renovations included electrical and plumbing upgrades, a thorough cleaning, safety inspections, and the addition of laundry and gym facilities. Six weeks later, it welcomed its new residents. Through the program, chefs were hired in the hotel kitchen to provide Resolute's newest employees and their families with three meals a day. Recognizing that the Ukrainian nationals needed additional support, the move was endorsed by the sawmill's union.

"This quick response couldn't happen in a large city," says Manford. "We had great support corporately, from the union, the community and Atikokan Economic Development Corporation."

"I was able to call upon the plumbing and electrician contractors that I knew and the entire community banded together to make it a priority," adds McKinnon. "People donated gym equipment, clothes, shoes, bedding, books, linens, bicycles and more to help the temporary residents  start their new lives in Atikokan."

The revitalization initiative  has helped the community's largest employer meet its labour needs and support the company's expansion plans. More importantly, it is assisting with a humanitarian crisis. To date, more than 73 people have settled in Atikokan; 52 Ukrainians and 21 other ethnicities.

"This was not a typical business advice or loan project," says McKinnon. "It was about doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. That said, it has increased the community's population by five percent and is creating positive economic benefits."

"We had a mandate to grow our planer operations by two additional shifts and increase productivity at our mill," adds Manford. "We accomplished that, plus we went from high employee turnover back in 2022 to a rate of approximately two percent in July 2024, saving us time, as well as onboarding, training and mentoring costs. No one wants to leave; everyone is happy and that's great news."

To find out more about realizing your business dream, contact AEDC at 1-888-334-AEDC or find your local Community Futures Development Corporation.