City of Greater Sudbury.

• Position: COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTH

While its legendary expertise in the mining and related service and supply sector continues to make international headlines, the City of Greater Sudbury is looking to expand its horizons.

Laurentian University is spearheading the $16.5 million Vale Inco Living With Lakes Centre, whose award-winning design is the foundation of a research facility for environmental restoration and sustainability.

Cambrian College is pursuing its own green-focused project, with the Xstrata Nickel Sustainable Energy Centre set to become an area where student learning and applied research in green technologies will meet. The pursuit of a regionally-minded Northern Ontario School of Architecture is also providing new diversifying opportunities. After years of secrecy and rumour, the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology's new 60,000-square-foot Innovation and Commercialization Centre has become a reality. Office and lab space offer opportunities for new and established companies alike to foster unique research efforts.

High-end housing construction is buoying real estate hopes and ongoing commercial construction is also keeping crews busy. The long-anticipated proposal of a 195,000-square-foot Walmart Superstore in the south end has officially been put forward and blasting has already begun at the opposite end with the...