Hearst, Ontario

HEARST , ONTAR IO of the province comprises a vast region with a small, scattered population. As a result, Hearst’s self-reliance – its capability to regenerate labor and wealth from within – reflects an economic reality fundamental to the town’s approach to infrastructure management. He shares, “We can’t wait for people to come here and invest. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and implement those services ourselves.” Broadband penetration is a prime example of Hearst getting the things done that need doing. “We had bandwidth problems from the outset,” Morrissette admits. “So, in 2017, Council created a municipal corporation called Hearst Connect, an ultra-local telecom service provider, to provide reliable Internet access to residents and businesses in the area. They’re now in the final phases of constructing the backbone network. We also have a local distribution company, Hearst Power Distribution, which was established in Hearst and is municipally owned as well. They’re one of the top local distribution companies and offer some of the lowest rates in Ontario.” The best places to do business are often those that are the most forward-thinking, and Hearst is one of those towns that embodies both progressive planning and responsible development. Recently, the Town Council formed a group to define a clear mandate and vision for their economic development department, setting the strategic direction for Hearst over the next 10 to 20 years. They’ve also been very proactive in conservation and sustainability activities, working to develop circular economy practices to reuse the waste of by-products from the forestry and wood processing industries. “Taking care of our natural resources, that’s just part of our roots; being from this land of great outdoors, the lakes, the rivers, and tons of things to do outside,” contributes Stéphane Lapointe, Director of Economic Development Services.