by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Dec 05/97) - The Village of Fort Simpson is hoping the Native Communications Society (NCS) will make this Deh Cho community the group's new home.

Recently, NCS officials announced that the high cost of renting office space and the cost of living for staff, have led it to consider moving its operations out of the territorial capital.

All this sounds good to officials in Fort Simpson who submitted a bid to NCS officials Monday.

"The community of Fort Simpson is proud to offer your NCS a home in our home," Fort Simpson's community business development officer Sean Whelly said in a Nov. 28 letter to NCS directors.

"Fort Simpson (Liidlii Kue) has always, by virtue of its location along two major waterways, been a logistical and communications centre for the original peoples."

Key to Fort Simpson's bid is the availability of commercial leasing space -- including buildings owned by the GNWT, Liidlii Kue First Nation and Deh Cho Divisional Board of Education -- and the rental housing, available at a lower cost than Yellowknife.

And the village proposal highlights Fort Simpson's recreational facilities and links to other communities.

All told, 12 jobs are at stake.

"Overall, the move would increase local spending on housing," Whelly said. "And, it would be a boost to the local retail market and the whole community."

A decision on the NCS move is expected early in the new year. Should Fort Simpson be short-listed, Whelly said moving incentives could be discussed if NCS officials came to the village for a visit.

The Liidlii Kue First Nation and Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce are also supporting the move, Whelly said.