In the heart of the northwest.

• Author: GOULIQUER, DIANNE
• Position: Dryden, Ontario has a lot to offer in service to forestry and mining industries - Brief Article

Dryden's central location attractive for businesses serving mining and forestry industries

Dryden continues to see growth and activity, and the community's chief building official credits high land values as being a contributing factor.

Dave Warren says Dryden's quality of housing, paved and uni-stone streets and general high upkeep of property and boulevards are all responsible for keeping land values in an upswing, and he says it is working in the city's favour.

"We've got good economic activity because the town is prosperous," Warren says. "The high land value just shows you the prosperity of the town. Houses stay up in value because of the quality of the town and the activity."

Warren says, aside from the $3-million learning centre that Weyerhaeuser is building in town, most of the activity taking place in Dryden revolves around smaller projects, like a new Tim Hortons restaurant and a new Safeway gas bar.

"There aren't big projects that are boosting (the town), but they're all adding to it," Warren says. Those are the economic indicators that the town is doing well.

"Now we've got the local school board looking at building a super school in town and getting rid of two or three of the country schools. We also have Confederation College, the high school and the City of Dryden looking at building an adult learning centre as well with a 500-seat auditorium. So there's lots going on - nothing big - but it's steady growth."

Warren says a common misconception is that the city remains prosperous despite high land values, but he believes the opposite is true; High land values are helping the town remain prosperous, he adds.

"It's high because the quality of the homes in the town are second to none and people keep maintaining their homes. The streets...