“It’s all about size,” he notes. Marathon may be small, but it boasts a variety of major chains and retailers, including hotels, coffee shops, and an indoor mall. “We have Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Travelodge, and other name brands you would expect in most communities,” he explains. The town has ample commercial properties, presenting opportunities for new businesses to establish themselves.“We have a great tax base, reasonable costs, and a welcoming attitude towards new developments,” he adds. Marathon’s primary industry is mining, with Barrick Hemlo being the largest employer.“Barrick Mines is a huge worldwide company based out of Toronto, and they have mine just outside our community,” Mayor Dumas says. He emphasizes that most employees live in Marathon, contributing significantly to the local economy. Additionally, Generation Mining is setting up a copper, palladium, and platinum mine within the municipal boundaries, expected to bring 400 to 450 direct jobs for at least 13 to 15 years. GREEN INITIATIVES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Marathon is also committed to sustainability, integrating green practices into its development projects. Mayor Dumas discusses how the town embraces renewable energy and sustainable building practices. “Our active living center is going to be a green, sustainable building,” he says, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency. “Everything in that building, from windows to insulation, is designed to be as green as possible.” The town encourages green initiatives in residential and commercial developments, looking at innovative solutions like utilizing lake water for cooling and heating, although the cost can be prohibitive.“We’ve explored options similar to what Toronto does with Lake Ontario, but it’s challenging due to costs,” he admits. Mayor Dumas also highlights that new developments, including those byGeneration Mining,also incorporate green practices.“We’ve met with Generation Mining multiple times to discuss their new build, ensuring it aligns with sustainable practices,” he says. The availability of clean energy through the East-West Tie Transmission Project further supports Marathon’s Tbaytel, Bell Canada, and Shaw have equipped the community with state-of-the-art fiber optics, making Marathon an ideal location for those working from home. “Sometimes, I find that even neighboring larger centers don’t have broadband as good as ours,” he says with pride.This superior connectivity allows Marathon to encourage urban dwellers to consider the town for its work-from-home potential. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE PRESENCE Marathon, Ontario, is cultivating a robust local economy and attracting significant corporate investments. Mayor Dumas provides a detailed overview of the town’s business landscape, highlighting existing companies and potential new ventures. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07
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