Destination Northern Ontario in partnership with Mississauga First Nation and Blind River win an EDCO Award of Excellence

by Sara Currier | February 18, 2025

Earlier this month, Stephanie Hopkin had the honour of assuming the role of President of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), an organization she has been passionately volunteering with since 2016. Steph's impactful initiatives and visionary leadership have left a lasting impression, inspiring others in economic development. Her dedication to driving economic growth has supported countless communities across the region. Congratulations, Steph, on this well-deserved recognition for your outstanding contributions to the development of Northern Ontario. 

In addition, Destination Northern Ontario in partnership with Mississauga First Nation and Blind River, won the EDCO Award of Excellence for “Excellence in Rural Economic Development” (under 100,000 population category) for the “Lake Huron North Shore Tourism & Recreation CED Initiative.”

Rural communities face challenges in tourism and economic development. To address this, Destination Northern Ontario, Mississauga First Nation, and Blind River formed a tripartite partnership to enhance community infrastructure and integrate regional tourism and recreation. Their goal was to support local businesses, jobs, and sustainable outdoor tourism. This collaboration led to the Lake Huron North Shore Tourism and Recreation CED Initiative, a $1.355 million project improving marine tourism infrastructure, trails, event facilities, investment-ready sites, and marketing. The initiative had an estimated economic impact of $2.16 million, generating over $1 million in GDP, $760K in labor income, and $305K in taxes.

A key feature is the formal partnership between Mississauga First Nation and Blind River, emphasizing shared stewardship and cooperation. They voluntarily established a Memorandum of Understanding and Working Group, fostering sustainable tourism and economic development with Destination Northern Ontario.

Rooted in the Indigenous concept of “a dish with one spoon”, this initiative embodies peaceful land-sharing and mutual cooperation. Recognized as an EDCO finalist for Visitor Attraction & Tourism Product Development, it highlights tourism’s role in driving economic growth in Northern Ontario.