are a microcosm in a field of innovation.” This access to research, technology, and solutions, attracts industries from Quebec, the Maritimes, and the United States to the region.Gagnon asserts,“What people need to understand about us is that we are sitting on a gold mine. We have a skilled workforce with high levels of expertise, major cutting-edge institutions and many high-tech well-paying jobs. Overall, the great development potential is there. All that remains is for investors to believe in our potential and the magic will happen”. INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS ATTRACTION Shortly, La Pocatière hopes to attract another big banner supermarket to fulfill the needs of the growing community. “We have one already, but we have a market that can support two major grocery stores,” Bourque remarks, hinting that the city hopes to have good news on this front very soon. A project is currently underway, and we are impatiently awaiting its positive outcome. La Pocatière lost its second supermarket last year, and this is felt in the community. Industry-wise, he says,“Our main focus is attracting innovative businesses.What is special here is we have a bunch of technological enterprises which work closely with our research centre.” He mentions some of the many diverse products manufactured in the 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 LA POCATIÈRE, QC
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