The mayor of Kenora says the pending start up of the Kenora Forest Products sawmill is a good sign for the city.
Dave Canfield said much work has gone into upgrading and expanding the operation, which will provide more than 100 good-paying jobs.
That will provide stability not only for the city’s economy, but many of its families, he said.
“It makes it easier for people to have a decent living. To be able to find a job here without leaving and moving somewhere else. To find a good-paying job. And that … has to be good for the economy.”
Canfield said he’s thankful the owners of the mill toughed it out through the downturn in the forest sector, and stayed in Kenora.
“We are pretty happy with the company and the family that has stuck around through the tough times instead of folding up and moving out of province and that’s been a huge benefit,” he said.
Canfield says the KFP sawmill has undergone a major overhaul over the past six months, including a new planer mill and buildings.
He said he hopes the company will expand into even more value added products and he looks forward to working with them.
The expanded sawmill is expected to start making trial production runs this month.