Rainy River Future Development Corporation office, March 2020. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation will continue to handle economic development duties for the town of Fort Frances.

Town council voted last year to end its contract with RRFDC and create a sustainable economic development manager position.

Chief Administrative Officer Faisal Anwar says that position remains vacant.

“In order to continue economic development services, it is in the best interest of the town to extend the service agreement with RFBC for one year with an option of early termination in case the sustainable economic development position development manager’s position has been filled,” says Anwar.

The town will pay RRFDC $100 thousand to continue for the year.

Anwar says that will be covered through the wages the town had budgeted for the sustainable economic development position development manager’s position.

Council Mike Behan supports the idea of extending the contract with the RRFDC.

“I know that we’ve been without an economic development option now for almost a full year. This is a vital and crucial role that our community needs at this time. So I’m certainly in favour of extending the agreement until we can fill this position that we’re looking for,” says Behan.