Economic Development

Economic Development facilitates and supports economic opportunities for Apitipi Anicinapek Nation. It looks to create and maintain revenue streams and business opportunities for the Band as an organization, and for the companies it owns, as well as foster and grow business opportunities and knowledge for community members. It works to contribute to a community that is economically, environmentally, socially, and culturally vibrant, independent and resilient. Economic Development strives to create diversity of opportunity, while embracing both traditional and contemporary knowledge and practices.

Mandate

Economic Development contributes to a robust economy in Wahgoshig that is self-sustaining and sovereign, capable of supporting its own businesses and community. Diverse economic activity lessens the dependency on one revenue stream or industry and thereby contributes to AAN’s self-determination. The stronger AAN’s economy is, the more services there can be, and AAN will more fully control its future. “Economic Development activities balance the needs of our community now, and for the future generations, while embracing the traditional and contemporary values for our members, as Wahgoshig works to be a visible leader,pathfinder and mentor to other First Nations.”

External Partnerships

The department has focused on getting AAN the appropriate conversations and making AAN presence known in economic development discussions and initiatives. Extensive networking and partnerships development with local, regional and provincial governments, tribal councils, municipalities, mines, and other First Nations, as well as political lobbying to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and Corporation, Provincial Ministers, CEO’s and leadership of local mining companies. EcDev also works closely with established consultants and institutions with Indigenous relations to provide the necessary resources for capacity building and business development planning.

Internal Partnerships

Ongoing working relationship with Wahgoshig Resources Incorporated for monitoring current projects as well as potential opportunities within the community such as community owned business initiatives.

Key Issues and Activities

CERRC – Bioheat Stream
CERRC stands for Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities, and is a series of funding opportunities made available to communities through Natural Resources Canada. AAN was able to create a Biomass project from this program in 2018, and began with a feasibility study which was conducted to determine energy savings for AAN, if any. From this analysis, several buildings were identified for conversion from fossil fuel (propane or heating oil) to biomass energy. Since that time, funding was secured to install a biomass boiler near the Firehall,and convert the Firehall, Ambulance Bay, Community Center and Elder’s Complex to biomass energy. The project also includes the installation of a biomass processing center at the WRI site with a specialized tractor and chipper to efficiently turn logs into wood chips. There are numerous benefits to this Bioheat Demonstration Project which include environmental, economic, workforce capacity development, and increased collaboration benefits which will benefit both Wahgoshig First Nation and the surrounding nature in general. The project will become operational early 2022, and AAN will begin to see the cost savings benefits. Plans to expand the utility service to more of the Band buildings are in discussion which will optimize the cost benefits further.

WAHGOSHIG COMPANY UPDATES, AND HOW ECDEV HELPS THE COMMUNITY
Wahgoshig has several companies that conduct business in a myriad of different sectors. Diversifying our business portfolio will allow us flexibility, and help us to open up multiple channels of revenue so we are not reliant on one sector of the economy.

GAS STATION
Wahgoshig members have a self-operated fuel station available 24/7. Since late 2019, the Gas Station has been monitored and managed by AAN administration. EcDev believes there is much potential to grow this business and it is possible to hand this operation over to a community member who encompasses an ambitious business plan.

KISIS AKI INC.
Wahgoshig and Taykwa Tagamou Nation jointly own a 37.5% interest in the Cochrane Solar Projects. A company was formed through the business relationship called Kisis Aki Inc. Northland Power introduced a business venture to include Kisis Aki Inc. as a business partner of a 40MW solar project. The company in turn, began contributions to AAN and TTN in 2019. The contributions were not optimized in terms of a large loan debt with high interest rates arranged through Northland Power. In 2021, an opportunity to increase the amount of money available from these projects was agreed from refinancing of existing loans from Northland Power with cheaper financing from the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). In late 2021, an agreement was signed which will allow for four times the amount paid annually to Kisis Aki Inc., making this a significant business deal for the next 15 years of the project.

Operating History
Prior to the start of construction, Cochrane Solar conducted a feasibility study to determine a forecast of long-term production. Cochrane Solar has exceeded the availability expectations, which is a measure of the amount of time the projects are available to generate. However, output energy has been below initial expectations due to poor weather conditions and cloud- cover. Snow and ice on the solar panels became a large concern for achieving electricity output and since, the Northland Operations team has introduced a snow clearing production which has improved winter output.

WAHGOSHIG ENERGY LP (WELP)
A second solar project was invested back in 2019 through a partnership with Compass Energy Consultants. Wahgoshig Solar FIT 5 LP was created which have four 500 kWac/600 kWdc (2.4 MWdc total) solar projects, two sites in Parry Sound area, one in Tara and one in Drumbo. WELP owns 51% of the partnership with Jonathan Cheszes owning the other 49%. These projects were all built to their specifications despite the effects from supply chain and delays created by the pandemic. The project is managed by Compass Energy Consulting and we have now seen the benefits from one full year of operation since October 17, 2020.

NIIWIN
Partnership owned by AAN, Matachewan, Flying Post and Mattagami. This is a resource revenue monetary sharing benefit to AAN. Community Engagement Ongoing engagement with community members to encourage entrepreneurship and small businesses development. Through the pandemic, EcDev was able to capture funds for business Covid–19 relief and development. This funding assisted in the creation of five new entrepreneurs, assisting support for existing businesses, providing resources for business planning and related studies. There are many great talents within the community and EcDev encourages those individuals to investigate possible business opportunities. Resources are available to support the feasibility studies or business plans for start-ups, development and growth. EcDev is available at any time to discuss bringing ideas to a plan. Services Economic Development Provides the Community Ultimately, a small business and entrepreneurship is the responsibility of the owner. EcDev can help navigate the process and provide advice or resources, but the main driver of the business will be the owner. EcDev support can include:

Assistance in finding available funds to support your business needs
Education channels for small business owners and providing support for getting your business started
Advice and resources for investigating new business opportunities
Connecting individuals with skill development and learning opportunities to expand business knowledge

EcDev has assessed the community’s readiness to successfully participate in economic development opportunities. Two studies which will provide the necessary support of our community entrepreneurs will be undertaken in the near future, an economic strategic plan will provide pathways in accomplishing the goals, through support of findings from the economic state of the Study.

Economic Research Study

This study will investigate the community spending habits both internally and externally of AAN. The research will initiate findings of feasible business ideas, and business growth of AAN entrepreneurships. Through proper planning and engagement, AAN will optimize the sectors of business partnerships within AAN to plan for economic development strategies. The study will assist community businesses, as well as the strategic plan for the community moving forward.

The Opportunity

Identify market size of AAN to support a further feasibility study (eg. convenience store)
Expand on feasible and successful economic opportunities
Support community development opportunities
Identify funding opportunities through which the recommendations from the study can be implemented

Economic Strategic Plan

A strategic plan assesses the current environment of your community, both internally and externally. It establishes future goals and targets and describes the strategies it will implement to reach them.

In other words, a business plan describes a current business or a specific new project. A strategic plan talks about how you want to change your community to grow or be ready for the future.

Strategic planning benefits for the whole community

Focuses activity on the community’s vision
Empowers leadership to deliver on community’s goals
Provides employees vision and direction

An updated strategic plan is currently undergoing which will specifically provide a five-year plan including the vision of projects or investigation of opportunities, and a detailed economic development work plan. This document will be readily available by June 2022 It will be of focus to ensure economic development supports the building of entrepreneurs moving forward. This year we have seen the creation of exciting diverse ideas and start-ups from our community entrepreneurs. These businesses will need support from the community as well, most goods and services are developed for the AAN community and also the local areas.

The pandemic has not allowed for these individuals to promote in person sales or promotion, which EcDev intends to support through AAN public events with intent to create awareness for a AAN marketplace and travel destination. Community engagement is more in need than ever as we incumbent our resilient nature through this time; by supporting our neighbours, families and friends. Development must begin with the community support of all to ensure the growth of our Nation economically and socially. Training is an essential component to sustainable growth and retainment. The Skills Development Fund Program has allowed for capacity building of our peoples in diverse opportunities ranging from traditional skills to specific sector soft skills. We encourage you to take advantage of the program and inquire of any type of training you would like to attend, leading to a hobby, job creation, upskill for job growth, or event to deliver training of any sort. When we vision to become self-reliant and resilient, we must ensure that traditional practices are passed on to the next generations and further. Denyse Nadon has been leading the skills

development program and she has provided her expert support and motivation to participants of the program.

Economic Development has focused on creating paths through the current barriers for development. Moving forward, we will investigate feasible plans:

To overcome infrastructure obstacles such as the need for higher energy to support large builds or more housing.
Higher internet speeds are also a priority to ensure development is available for all.
The pandemic has shown us the future of virtual practices through education, communication, and business development.

The federal government has planned to deliver 50mbps connection to 95% of residences by 2026. AAN administration has investigated other opportunities to react and implement much higher internet speeds and much sooner than the government wishes.

EcDev is available to provide any insights or trade thoughts with any potential community member business idea or development plan. We also request community support to provide information for a better understanding of socioeconomic factors that support studies and development projects.

Wahgoshig Energy Limited Partnership Committee is currently forming and coming soon.