Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas, November 21, 2023. Image: Randy Thoms

Fort Frances town council is in the midst of two days of special meetings.

They are meeting with consultants from KMPG to craft a new strategic plan.

Mayor Andrew Hallikis says it is an opportunity to make this term significant and meaningful in improving the community.

“I’m hopeful that the results of this exercise will be equally practical and useful in developing a plan that will guide our decisions and point us in the right direction as we work to move Fort Frances forward over this term of council,” says Hallikas.

“Over the next two days, we’ll be given context and demographic data to keep in mind as we deliberate. Fort Frances, of course, does not operate in isolation, and we must be mindful of our role in the district as well as external factors which can influence our future.”

Hallikas says council also needs to pay attention to the input provided by residents.

An online survey conducted earlier this year resulted in over 800 submissions.

“So we want to be cognizant of that data. And all of us here today, council, administration, our consultants and, of course, our residents, who through their input via the survey, want the same thing – a useful, practical, flexible and responsive plan that will provide direction for council and our community to move efficiently into the future with benefit for all.”

Town council will resume their discussions on Wednesday.