“We are seeing important signs of progress…” Bill Mauro MPP

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QUEEN’S PARK – Last week I was part of another terrific announcement in my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan. Our government provided $1.8 million of financial assistance towards a $10-million construction project that will renovate the old McKellar Hospital building.

The hospital building, owned by Habib Enterprises, has been converted into the new McKellar Place: 100 units for seniors’ retirement living as well as 35,000 square feet of office space. When fully occupied, this building will create 35 new full-time jobs, and that’s in addition to the construction jobs that were associated with the project.

It’s always exciting when we see the private sector investing in Thunder Bay. We’re very pleased to partner with Mr. Habib, owner and president of Habib Enterprises, who stepped up and made this project happen. With this revitalization of this site and the soon-to-begin new consolidated courthouse, the downtown South Core is receiving a significant shot in the arm.

As I mentioned, once occupied, this project will create 35 new full-time jobs. That’s in addition to the 340 men and women who recently were called back to the Terrace Bay mill, the 200 or so back to work at the Lac des Iles mine and another 200 to 400 soon to be hired at the local Bombardier plant, in addition to the hundreds already brought back. The list goes on.

The world is slowly emerging from the greatest recession since the Great Depression. There’s more work to be done, but we are seeing important signs of progress. I want to thank Mr. Habib for his faith in Thunder Bay and its economic future, for helping to preserve part of our architectural heritage and partnering with our government on this project.

Bill Mauro MPP

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