“Here’s to a bright future together.”
Aspenware Inc. president Terry Bigsby’s closing words in an Aug. 26 statement was indeed music to Dryden’s ears.
While the manufacturer of premium compostable wooden disposable cutlery’s interest in Dryden was a rather poorly-kept secret in a community hungry for new economic development news over the last seven months, the B.C.-based company had remained quiet up until last week.
Thursday’s federal funding announcements, detailing close to $3 million in government investment in the development of a North Dryden business/industrial park was enough of a motivating factor for the company to put its intentions on the record.
“Aspenware…has plans for a 50,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility on a 5.2 acre site in this new industrial park,” said Bigsby. “The state-of-the-art facility will employ in excess of 100 people right here in Dryden.”
A connection to active forestry is another element of Aspenware’s interest in an expansion into the community and the province of Ontario. The company will be able to procure hardwood fibre to make its product through a recent Ministry of Natural Resources program (Request For Expressions of Interest in Crown Wood Supply) designed to diversify the forest economy and make use of unused hardwood fibre resources that are readily available locally.
Mayor Anne Krassilowsky says Aspenware’s statement is some long overdue good news for the community and city agencies who have worked hard to create favourable conditions for investment. Securing the ‘anchor tenant’ for the new development is a difficult first step that can pave the way for more outside interest in the community.
“I say we get our shovels out and start digging,” said Krassilowsky. “We’ve all heard the ongoing rumours, now we have actual fact, we a have a location for them (Aspenware) to be. Not only do we have hope, we have direction. This is an absolutely wonderful and successful day for Dryden.”