In recent articles I have identified the high level of automation in Northwestern Ontario resource-based industries and the restructuring trends in education, health, and government services that have negatively impacted this region’s employment opportunities in the 90’s. I have also reviewed recent low unemployment statistics and the fact that they were not due to new jobs being created but the result of people leaving the workforce (a drop of 3,400 during the last year).

While such articles may portrait a scenario of gloom and doom, they are only meant to reflect as accurately as possible the challenges and opportunities we are facing as a city and region. Only when a problem and its underlying causes have been clearly identified, corrective action can be taken. However, it is not sufficient to know what needs to be done. If real change is to take place, it is also important to know how to implement such action. In this and following articles I will go in some details on specific sectors where real opportunities to kick start the regional economy exist.

While a good economic climate invariably present more opportunities for growth (a rising tide will lift all boats) even in bad economic times there seems to be a few entrepreneurs that are able to read the myriad of events that play a role in creating opportunities for their business and communities.

As a resident of Thunder Bay for 29 years and having lived and worked in the outlying communities in the region, I have had the privilege of meeting and learn about the real life experience of many such successful business people across the region. One such group, from all different sectors of the economy, came together on October 21, 1999 during small business week.

What brought them together was their interest and desire to share their experiences on how to develop a successful business in new markets outside of our region. The common theme during this brainstorming session was that in order to grow and prosper we can no longer limit our vision to regional opportunities, but need to also look at international markets.

As the world becomes more connected on a daily basis via the internet, global changes affect the way we work, live and play in way unimaginable only a few years ago. Such changes create disruptions, chaos, uncertainty and opportunities; but for those who dare and have the courage to venture out in uncharted territories, the rewards can be significant. While there are still many challenges facing our city and region, I am optimistic about our future for one simple reason; the pioneering spirit that opened up this vast region at the turn of the 20^th century and made it the trade and financial capital of Canada is still alive and well.

On the threshold of a new century this entrepreneurial spirit and information technology now offer this region untold opportunity to reach new markets. However, to really maximize this potential we need to stay on the leading edge of this new technology and make it available to as many people as possible at a reasonable cost. In the next article I will discuss in more details the challenges and opportunities for job creation in the Information Technology sector.

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