Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) President and CEO Chuck Davidson, along with Manitoba Mineral Development (MMDF) Program Manager Jessica Ferris and Policy Analyst, Matthew Benger, spent two action-packed days earlier this week seeing first-hand the economic opportunities that exist in Northern Manitoba.
Day one of the tour included a meeting with the Mayor of Snow Lake, Peter Roberts, and CAO, Alexander Fisher to discuss the future needs of the growing mining community. In addition, the MCC team met with MMDF applicant, Snow Lake Resources, a company which has been busy with a lithium drill project in the area. They also had the opportunity to meet with senior officials from HudBay who are planning a multimillion-dollar expansion in the area.
“Snow Lake is a community that is going to see significant increases in investment and employment in the near future”, said Davidson.
Day Two consisted of meetings with officials from the City of Thompson, Prairies Economic Development Canada, Communities Economic Development Fund, Community Futures North Central, and the Thompson Chamber of Commerce.
Left to right: Jessica Ferris, Program Manager, MMDF; Gary Annett, Head of Manitoba Operations, Vale; Chuck Davidson, President & CEO, MCC; Matt Benger, Policy Analyst, MCC; Tara Ritchie, Corporate Affairs & Indigenous Relations, Vale
A meeting with Vale senior officials revealed the significant investment they are prepared to make in the community.
“We were pleased with the interest community leaders have in partnering with MMDF in the future”, said Ferris. “There are lots of opportunities for future investments.”
The Manitoba Mineral Development Fund(MMDF), administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, provides funding for northern economic development and mining projects that create Indigenous partnerships, increase local employment, and stimulate investment in Northern Manitoba.
In October 2019, the Government of Manitoba announced a $20 million investment to create the fund and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce officially launched the program in July 2020.
To learn more about MMDF and the projects that have been funded to date, please visit www.mmdf.ca
