MISSED OPPORTUNITY!
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
April 22, 2014
MISSED OPPORTUNITY!
For the past several years a member of the community has been working on a proposal for an economic project that would create jobs, training and revenue. The concept was to take the profits and return them back to the community to assist in areas of need, for example, to supplement funding for students who are in post secondary education.
With this concept in mind last year, two facilities were pitched to economic development and one was deemed not to be a viable solution to the needs of the project. The other facility was deemed to be a no-brainer. It was not acted upon by the powers that be within the organization called the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
The community member was Dave White. I can only congratulate him on his perseverance in trying to get this project completed. Hours of unpaid volunteerism have gone into this project. Research has been done and trips have been taken to secure support for this project.
Since February negotiations had been underway to purchase this facility. The facility is the former Locweld property that is on highway number 2 between Cornwall and Long Sault. It is an 88 acre property with several buildings on it. It has natural gas, water and sewer, rail service and a dock for barges. It also had 7 overhead cranes, which would be beneficial for a fabricating business.
Sadly, I have to report that this facility had interest in it from 2 other parties and it has been sold to another interested party. The conditions for the sale to the other party were waived on Friday, April 11, 2014.
I feel that this has been a terrible loss for this community. There were so many business opportunities that could have been developed on the property. There were 80 plus acres that could have generated jobs and income for people on the territory.
Who do we blame? When for whatever reasons, MCA does not act fast enough to secure an economic engine for all of Akwesasne!
There are other initiatives that we are also working on to create jobs for the community. We will continue to search other areas for viable economic opportunities for Akwesasne. This is just another hurdle that we will wade through to be economically self-sufficient, with or without any assistance from MCA.
Cordially, Beverly Pyke
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