Fort Smith (May 31/04) - Fort Smith is looking to get a share of the economic and training spin-offs from the Suncor Energy oilsands project in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Its first step towards that goal will be welcoming an invited Suncor delegation coming north to check out opportunities in the community.

A Suncor spokesperson says the delegation is looking forward to its first visit to Fort Smith, set for June 21-22.

"We're going up with an open mind," says Brenda Erskine, director of communications and community relations with Suncor Energy's oilsands operation.

Erskine notes Suncor helps with business development in various communities, especially with aboriginal organizations.

As an example, she points to a manufacturing business owned by an aboriginal band in Fort Chipewyan. Suncor helped establish the operation -- which makes Kevlar sleeves for oilfield workers.

"There may be some possibilities there," she says of Fort Smith.

The Suncor group will also check out training opportunities at Aurora College.

As an example of the potential, at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Suncor has funded and helped set up training programs for the mining industry.

However, Erskine says it is not possible to predict what, if anything, might come out of the visit to Fort Smith. "It's way too early to say. Right now, we're coming up to meet with people and visit the community."

Along with Erskine, the Suncor delegation will consist of Heather Kennedy, the vice-president of human resources and community affairs; Don Pugh, regional business development manager; and Jerry Welsh, aboriginal affairs manager.

Working relationship

Mayor Peter Martselos invited Suncor to visit his community.

"Everybody is very excited and happy to see the group coming to Fort Smith," says Martselos, who hopes the visit will establish a working relationship between the town and the company.

The visit will also be a chance for Fort Smith workers and contractors to learn more about Suncor, and for the company to learn about the town as a potential home to some of its employees.

"I'm going to stress we have the lowest cost of living in the Northwest Territories," Martselos says.

Some workers at Suncor currently live in Fort Chipewyan.

"Who knows about the future?" Martselos says of the Suncor visit. "It may bring very big things for Fort Smith."