For those interested:

https://www.lemanic.ca/2019/06/13/le-voile-se-leve-sur-le-plan-de-developpement-de-la-zone-ip/

The veil rises on the development plan of the IP zone

The development plan for the Baie-Comeau industrial-port zone revolves around the Jean-Noël-Tessier industrial park and the seaport (photo). (Photo: Le Manic archives)

Baie-Comeau - The development of the Baie-Comeau industrial-port area (IP) will mainly involve the acquisition of public lands in the Jean-Noël-Tessier Park for the arrival of industrial developers, but also by the taking over the port and, in particular, stimulating all possible industrial synergies.

Chaired by Karine Otis, the local committee of the IP area unveiled its development plan last Thursday in the presence of forty people. This step comes three years after the Quebec government designated Baie-Comeau to be part of the province's 16 IP zones, three of which are located on the North Shore.

In our region, the zone includes the port sector, the industrial areas of Jean-Noël-Tessier Park, the hydroelectric supply infrastructures on the territory and road access to the Labrador Trough and the forest and mineral resources of Manicouagan.

According to Ms. Otis, this plan binds partners in developing economic development strategies. A dozen organizations work hand-in-hand to ensure the competitiveness of the Baie-Comeau IP area with developers. These include ID Manicouagan Corporation and the Baie-Comeau Expansion Corporation, as well as five departments and the Northern Plan Society.

Assets

As the President notes, the IP area has several assets to stimulate industrial development, such as its strategic positioning "both in terms of natural resources in proximity and in relation to international markets". Its accessible and ice-free seaport year round opens the door to the rest of the world.

However, Ms. Otis added, the competitive aspect of the area will also benefit from an attractive business environment, whether it is the presence of other businesses, the Baie-Comeau College or the university branch. University of Quebec in Rimouski plans to implant with us within a period that could vary from 12 to 18 months, believes the spokesperson.

The establishment of a strategic sustainable development framework to guide investors demarcates the Bay Area. As far as the local committee is aware, no other zone in Quebec is taking this route.

Mineral resource extraction, first and second value-added processing, manufacturing, warehousing and shipping of products, and bioenergy are the priority priority areas for development. In fact, projects such as Mason Graphite, Canadian Metals and Baie-Comeau Minerals Partnership (mine and steel mill) will benefit from the existence of the IP zone.

Over the next year, the local committee wants to develop a web portal for investors, with maps of the territory. Among other things, he also plans to put promotional tools in place.