SMOOTH ROCK FALLS, Ont. — This Northern Ontario town is offering hefty incentives to prospective home and business owners, after its economy was nearly wiped out with the 2006 closure of the local Tembec mill. The Canadian Press reports that the population of Smooth Rock Falls fell by nearly half after Tembec’s withdrawal, and its revenues by 40%.
Now the town has rebranded, marketing itself as “near north, near perfect”, and is offering plots of land for up to 90% less than market value. In order to help would-be residents build homes on the land, the town will waive up to $2,500 on permits, according to Chief Administrative Officer Luc Denault. It will also offer additional loans to those unable to get full financing through their financial institutions.
