Optimism for 2020
As the Sault settles into a new year and a new decade, a certain sense of watchful sureness surrounds this northern Ontario city.
Our major employer, Algoma Steel, while housing a fraction of the workers that it did during the boom years of the industry, is seemingly on solid financial ground and currently has a reported workforce of about 2,800.
But it is small business that is driving the Sault and creating and maintaining jobs and employment.
And while the Sault’s elected officials and job creation sectors need to do more to bring additional good-paying jobs here, there is no lack of resolve and ambition among local entrepreneurs.
For instance, the Sault’s iconic downtown area is in a time of slow but sure growth and re-invention.
In particular, the food and beverage industry in the Sault’s downtown has shown an upward spike.
Quite notably, the number of food and/or drink businesses that are located on Queen and along adjacent side streets between Pilgrim and Gore, add up to just over 30 locally-owned-and-operated establishments.
And in impressive and encouraging fashion, I have counted 10 — yes, 10! — new locally-owned-and-operated food/beverage establishments that opened in the Sault’s downtown area during 2019.
Which is both uplifting and stimulating, to say the least.
And which is a credit to those who have a combination of vision, ambition and old-fashioned work ethic as they roll up their sleeves and earn their own way, even in the way of any barriers, hurdles, obstacles and snags.
All in all — while trying to focus on pictures both big and small — there is good reason for optimism in the good, old Sault as we hit stride in 2020.