Business park aimed at encouraging growth.

• Author: Mccauley, Jennifer
• Position: Aboriginal Business

Whitefish Lake First Nation is taking action to encourage economic development and growth, in the community through the construction of a multi-use business park.

Although the park is still in the design and environmental study phase, economic development officer Linda Petahtegoose says they are hoping to be open for business next fall.

"At present we are still contemplating how the facility will be constructed," Petahtegoose says. "Either the business people leasing the park lots will build their own building, or we will build the facility. When the engineering design is completed, in about three months, we will know which route we will take."

The facility is expected to stretch over 18 lots and be serviced with sewer and water.

Although the project has not yet reached the construction phase, a number of Whitefish business people have submitted letters to the First Nation stating an interest in leasing portions of the park. The park will be opened to the general public.

"Diversification is something we want to bring to the First Nation," Petahtegoose says. "That may mean encouraging partnerships with companies. If we were able to put in a call centre, for instance; that would create a lot of jobs."

Whitefish Lake...