The Dryden Development Corporation is committed to developing the region's natural and economic assets to stimulate growth and employment. With the need for diversification, revitalization and redevelopment in mind, the community has embarked on a sustainable waterfront development plan to address the local economy that has the potential to attract major investment and create job opportunities.
The City of Dryden, like many other rural communities in northwestern Ontario, face enormous challenges related to economic restructuring and diversification. Traditional dependency on forestry and its declining industrial base started the community of Dryden to look to new sources of wealth creation. Dryden has been a leader in Northern Ontario in recognizing opportunities offered by culture-led economic development as a powerful means of diversifying local economies and providing new sources of economic growth.
Phase 2 - Kenora District Interactive Media
Dryden's Sustainable Waterfront Development Plan, a community-supported initiative, offers opportunities growth and diversification in the Tourism sector. Comprised of a total of 125 acres at the south end of Van Horne Ave, this significant waterfront property on the northern shores of Wabigoon Lake is virtually untouched. The parcel includes private lands, protected wetlands, undeveloped municipal lands and surplus crown lands. This project is unique to rural Canada. Once a self-sustaining model (engineering wet lands, underground heat pump and solar panel systems) is developed, not only can other rural municipalities benefit from the project but the City could also apply any green technology solutions in other areas in the municipality proper. Alternative methods of providing municipal service have not previously been examined versus traditional methods of infrastructure (bio-swales for storm water management and retention, local area waste water disposal with marsh filtration, potable water utilization reduction strategies, dual water systems using lake water).
What is the Trans Canada Trail?
The Trans Canada Trail is the world's longest network of trails. When fully connected, the trail will stretch 22,500 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic Oceans, linking 1,000 communities and 34 million Canadians.
Today, more than 16,500 kilometres of trail are developed. Millions of Canadians and international visitors are using the trail to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile.
The Trans Canada Trail is made up of over 400 community trails, each with diverse features and unique landscapes. Thousands of Canadians, community partner organizations, corporations, local businesses and all levels of government are involved in developing and maintaining these trails and creating our world-renowned national trail.
The trail is 73% complete. Two hundred gaps remain to be filled in order to achieve a fully connected
trail by 2017.
Path of the Paddle Water Route
This planned water route will enable Canadians and visitors to experience traditional First Nations and early explorer routes that predate Confederation. Spanning from Thunder Bay to Manitoba, paddlers can bring their inner explorer to life and be reminded of Ontario's vastness and diversity.
The greater Dryden area has been chosen as the initial pilot community for TecVana, a social media marketing program. This progam is uniquely designed to reach, engage and empower the emerging youth market and struggling rural communities to collaboratively develop a new age rural outdoor escapism adventure that will have appeal to the needs and lifestyle of our younger population.
As stated by Dr. Bruno Lanvin of the World Economic Forum, "the TecVana concept is interesting and contradicts the common sense prejudices that connectivity keeps people indoors".
The Dryden Development Corporation and Community Matters have been working closely with founding President and Chief Executive Officer of TecVana Corporation Inc., Doug Matatall. It was Mr. Matatall's passion for the outdoors, the environment and his concern over the impact that the declining interest in recreational outdoor activities amongst our youth is having on our rural communities led to the development of the TecVana model. Other partners include Fanshawe College, University of Toronto Queen's University, Ivey, Izumi and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and many others.
The Dryden Development Corporation provides SuperHost Training for Volunteers and is working with the City of Dryden businesses to become certified as a SuperHost Community through the delivery of Service Excellence Training. If you are looking for a tour of our community or want to speak with other businesses that pertain to your business we can help!
Click here for more information on the Business Ambassador Program
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