New Hearst Canadian Tire a Prototype for Company

New Hearst Canadian Tire a prototype for company
Northtimes - Kevin AndersonWednesday January 30, 2008

Hearst — Construction of Hearst’s new Canadian Tire store is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony this past Monday.The new 18,000 square foot store --11,000 square feet larger than the existing location -- is a prototype for the company, which is looking to build more, similar-sized stores across the country tailored for smaller markets.“This store will be the first of its kind,” said Hearst Canadian Tire owner J.P. Cronier. “I’m very happy they’ve decided to use us as the pilot store and that construction is going ahead.”The addition of a gas bar to the new location will be coupled with expansion of every department, said Mr. Cronier, allowing for a wider variety of products on the shelves. A 7,000 square foot garden centre and 7,000 square foot outdoor, canopied display area is among the features of the new locale.
“We will be able to provide our customers with a better shopping experience,” said Mr. Cronier.He anticipates the creation of up to 21 new jobs, expanding the current staff from 39 to somewhere between 50-60 employees.“We will be hiring more on a temporary basis through a job fair to help get the store all set up,” commented Mr. Cronier. “From there, we will identify candidates for employment in the store.”Construction of the new building is scheduled to wrap up at the end of May, with a tentative date for the grand opening set for July 17. In addition to Canadian Tire, a 5,000 square foot Mark’s Work Warehouse will be housed in an adjoining store.All of the work on the new building has been contracted out locally, something Mr. Cronier said he was very proud of.“We’re all very anxious,” he commented. “The employees are all talking about it. People around town are talking about it. Everyone’s excited.”

Chief Clarence Louie to speak at Hearst, Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce dinner

Hearst, January 28, 2008 – The Hearst Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce banquet will be held on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 in Hearst, Ontario.

This year’s dinner will host Chief Clarence Louie from the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia. The keynote address will focus on communities working together to prosper economically.

First elected in 1985, Clarence Joseph Louie has consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living. Chief Louie believes that “Aboriginal people and government must make self sustaining job creation and business growth an everyday priority.”

The Osoyoos Indian Band’s corporate motto is “In business to preserve our past by strengthening our future.”

The Hearst Chamber of Commerce embraces Chief Louie’s vision of cooperation and wishes to bring awareness and stimulate partnerships between communities at its banquet to be held in Hearst April 10th.

Being neighbouring communities, Constance Lake and Hearst have a long standing affiliation. Both communities wish to work closer on a number of issues. The need to diversify the region’s economy has never been that imminent and joint efforts are vital to achieving sustainability.

“We hope that Chief Louie’s knowledge and experience on the importance of cooperation between communities will stimulate understanding of each other’s culture and encourage people, businesses, leaders and governments to work closer with First Nations.” explains Chief Arthur Moore of the Constance Lake First Nations.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Pierre Dalcourt, is pleased to be offering members and the community at large the opportunity to hear Chief Louie speak. “The challenges we are currently facing can be overcome only through cooperation and by putting aside individual needs for the needs of the overall community and region.”

Tickets will be available at the Hearst Tourist Information Centre in February. To purchase event tickets, call (705)372-2838 or toll free at 1-800-655-5769.

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Contact :
Pierre Dalcourt
President
Hearst Mattice Val-Côté Chamber of Commerce
(705)362-4425

Shana Verrier
Tourism Coordinator
Hearst Economic Development Corporation
705.372.2839
sverrier@hearst.ca

Hearst Ontario

Welcome to my new economic development blog for Hearst, Ontario Canada. My name is Daniel Sigouin and I am the Economic Development Officer for the Town of Hearst.

Located in Northeastern Ontario, the Town of Hearst functions as a regional service centre, providing post-secondary education, health, social, business, financial and transportation services to wide variety of smaller northern communities. Its employment base is comprised primarily of forestry related firms. Columbia Forest Products, Tembec Inc. and Lecours Lumber, three local forestry operations, are the Town’s largest employers.

Based on a review of industry concentration and an analysis of the economies of agglomeration and linkages in Northeastern Ontario, the Town of Hearst is well positioned for future business investment in the following sectors;

1. Forest related bio-industries producing bio-products such as fuel/energy, specialty chemicals and biomaterials or polymers;


2. Agri-products: livestock, greenhouse products and agriculture products;


3. Wood products and value-added wood products including building products, furniture manufacturing and custom millwork.

I strongly encourage you to visit our community web portal http://www.hearst.ca/ to find out more about our community.

Stay tuned for future postings!

Daniel Sigouin