Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 30/03) - Second last.

That's where Fort Simpson finished among six communities as a prospective location for the proposed Business Development and Investment Corporation -- better known as Super Corp.

That office would combine the services of the NWT Development Corporation, the Business and Credit Corporation and Community Futures. In total, the Super Corp. would furnish 10 to 20 jobs.

Yellowknife-based consultant Andrew Gamble and Associates prepared the report for the territorial Department of Economic Development. In it, Fort Simpson ranked last for having the lowest population and tied for last with the highest airfare costs. The village tied for second last in other categories due to high food prices and its low number of private dwellings.

The document also shows that Fort Simpson has high unemployment and lower than average income levels. Yet that is viewed as a positive because the economic stimulus provided by the agency would be greater.

The community does have high-speed digital microwave Internet service, which was one of its few pluses.

Fort Simpson scores a total of 14 points, placing it second last overall. Due to a numerical error, the report only credits the community with seven points in its overall score.

Mayor Tom Wilson suggested that basing a report on such criteria will only allow the larger, richer communities to prosper even further.

Jim Antoine, Minister of Economic Development and Nahendeh MLA, could not be reached for comment.

In a letter to village council dated May 6, Antoine states:

"I recognize the potential benefits of relocating government operations to the village of Fort Simpson. Please be assured that we will continue to include Fort Simpson in consideration of any opportunities to relocate government operations."

how they rank:

A consultant's study ranked these six NWT communities based on criteria such as housing and food costs:

1st -- Hay River (22 points)

2nd (tie) -- Fort Smith (20 pts.)

and Yellowknife (20)

4th -- Rae-Edzo (19.5)

5th -- Fort Simpson (14)

6th -- Inuvik (9.5)