August 17, 2011
Swisha moving ahead
on water bottling plant
by Vance Gutzman
There's some good news coming out of Swisha on the economic development
front.
Jim Gibson, Mayor of Rapides des Joachims, tells the NRT that the
municipality has obtained final approval for $18,715 in funding from
MRC Pontiac's strategic planning committee.
The money will be used to conduct final testing on a spring water
source the municipality would like to harness as a small bottled-water
industry.
"We want to get the testing done as soon as possible," Gibson says.
If the tests turn out to be favourable, the municipality will be
looking for a partner to produce and bottle the water in glass bottles.
Initial designs, according to the mayor, would see the water being sold
in blue bottles with the provincial fleur-de-lis on them.
The bottled-water processing proposal is part of the municipality's
multi-page and multi-faceted strategic plan, which covers a five-year
period form 2010-15.
Air service
That plan also supports the development of increased tourism in Rapides
des Joachims, and there's been some movement on that front recently as
well, according to Mayor Gibson.
Gibson says the Algonquins of the Wolf Lake First Nation have contacted
the municipality with a proposal purchase and develop Air Swisha, and
to also establish a canoe, kayak and mountain bike rental service.
"They are in the final stages of the legalities and will be ready to
open next spring," says Gibson, noting that Wolf Lake First Nation's
project was made possible by $87,500 in funding from the Quebec
government to support the strategic development of tourism in
Rapides des Joachims.
Quebec's Minister of Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, made the funding
announcement during a visit to Wolf Lake at the end of July.
|
