Espanola.

• Position: COMMUNITIES OF OPPORTUNITY

Strategically located in the heart of the picturesque LaCloche Foothills, Espanola is emerging as a dynamic Northern community serving a catchment area of 40,000.

While its ties with the paper industry remain strong--Domtar's fine paper mill continues to be the community's main employer--Espanola is extending its capacity as a regional hub, offering opportunities for economic development and a heightened quality of life.

"I am certain that my vision for the Town of Espanola to become the municipality of choice among small Northern communities, for both residential and business development, will be realized," said Cynthia Townsend, the community's new clerk-treasurer/administrator.

Located a kilometre south of Highway 17 and along the Highway 6 corridor, the town is 45 minutes southwest of Sudbury 40 minutes north of Manitoulin Island, and is a centre for training, business, retail, medical services, government, transportation, and distribution services for the LaCloche Foothills area.

The town has played host to a flurry of activity in the last few years. Economic development leads the way, with an ongoing industrial park expansion that includes 15 sites serviced with hydro and water services, as well as an extended paved service road that will provide main-artery access.

Plans continue for the construction of a steel-roll forming plant in the park by Kil-ganan...