Beyond the Gold: Kirkland Lake's Economic Renaissance

Andrew Siegwart interviews Kirkland Lake Mayor Stacy Wight and Economic Development Director Dan Laverdure the town's transformative economic strategy. Kirkland Lake, a historic mining community of about 8,500 people, is reimagining its future by diversifying its economy and revitalizing tourism. The municipality is developing a five-year tourism plan that leverages its rich mining heritage, implementing a Municipal Accommodation Tax, and attracting new development through innovative approaches.Key initiatives include partnering with Keepers of the Circle, an indigenous women-led organization building a modular home factory, and creating a resident attraction campaign. The town is focusing on showcasing its cultural assets, including historical mining sites, the Northern Throttle drag races, and a multicultural center.Wight and Labrador emphasize the importance of community collaboration, indigenous reconciliation, and targeted support from provincial and federal governments to help smaller communities grow and thrive.Forward Motion thanks its partners for their support of this show: Destination Ontario Ontario Travel & Tourism Monthly See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.