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For even more specific information visit the towns new website at: www.townofnemi.on.ca
OVERVIEW
The Town of Northeastern Manitoulin And The Islands (NEMI) is situated at the northern gateway to Manitoulin Island and is the largest municipality within the District of Manitoulin. It is located 120 km southwest of Sudbury on Highways 6 and 540. Highway 6 provides access north to the TransCanada Highway and south via the ONTC Ferry to Tobermory and South-western Ontario. A regional airport provides access by air. The Little Current Harbour provides deepwater access for private yachts and cruise ships.
NEMI is a restructured municipality, which includes the former Township of Howland, Town of Little Current and the annexed unincorporated areas of McGregor Bay and the Islands (1999). Little Current and Sheguindah are the largest communities within the Town.
Services provided within the Town include municipal offices, state-of-the-art waste disposal and recycling centre, volunteer fire department, Ontario Provincial Police detachment, 2 chartered banks with 24-hour ATM service, credit union, internet access, visitor information centre, churches of several denominations, public library, museum, post office, recreation centre and arena, tennis courts, fishing charters, surveying service, construction contractors, travel agency, financial services, barristers and solicitors, real estate and insurance sales, Laundromat, private daycare and funeral home.
Retail outlets include 2 supermarkets, 2 pharmacies, building supplies, 3 automotive sales and service outlets, gasoline & propane sales and service, marine sales and service, art gallery, computer and electronics sales and service, LCBO beer/liquor sales, florist, farm and feed supply, dry goods, stationery, sports equipment, high-end giftware, restaurants, resorts, motels, inns, and convenience stores.
Originally important as an agricultural and coal shipping centre, the Township of NEMI has developed a more diverse economy. Cattle yards and sales, a commercial fishery and processing plant, and tourism are now important economic factors. Four-season recreational opportunities and special events draw large numbers of visitors to the Town.
POPULATION
Population is 2,531, according to 2001 Census data. Median age of the population is 44.3 years for females and 44.7 years for males. 83% of the population is over 15 years of age. The population density is 5.1 per square kilometre.
The industries with greatest utilization of the labour force, in descending order, are retail trade, construction, accommodation and food services. Welfare case loads decreased from 119 in June 2000 to 91 in September 2001.
EDUCATION
Little Current Public School is located within the Town and operates under the Rainbow District School Board. Current enrolment is approximately 380 students. Manitoulin Secondary School is located in Billings Township, approximately 30 minutes away, and students are bussed. Cambrian Community College maintains a satellite campus in the Town. University and College programs are accessible through Contact North distance learning.
HEALTH CARE
A 16-bed hospital with emergency services and specialists’ clinics is located within the Town. It employs a staff of 160, including staff of a second hospital site. Ambulance service is provided. Air ambulance helicopter service provides rapid access to regional hospitals in Sudbury. Home care, occupational and physiotherapy, and palliative care are provided through OHIP and the Victorian Order of Nurses. The community also has a 60-bed long-term care facility, an holistic medical centre, a massage therapist, 2 dental offices, denture clinic, and optometrist.
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has contributed $50,000 to the Health Centre and to the Town to assist in upgrading technology at the Little Current Medical Clinic. Northern Primary Healthcare Facilities initiative contributed $384,250 for hospital and medical clinic upgrades at the Manitoulin Health Centre.
The Ontario Small Town and Rural Development Infrastructure initiative has contributed $18,000 towards mandatory water and sewer engineering reports. Capital Assistance for Small Communities initiative contributed $300,000 for community economic projects, which included upgrades to the arena and fire hall, Bass Lake Dam, marina expansion and water line extension.
The Town has invested $2.2 million for site selection, environmental evaluations and construction of a state-of-the-art landfill and recycling centre. The new centre opened In October 2002. A $4 million water treatment plant was completed in 2000. Construction of new municipal facilities valued at $800,000 was completed in 2001.
An aggressive marketing strategy has resulted in the Little Current Harbour becoming a regular port of call for three Great Lakes Cruise ships. A Cruise Ship Study funded in partnership with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund investigated broader local potential for the industry.
In 2000, the Town formed a Community Development Corporation to investigate and provide leadership to long-term community investment opportunities. Among its accomplishments, the CDC was instrumental in the formation of the Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association, which received $100,000 funding over 3 years from FedNor.
In 2000, Manitoulin Livestock Co-operative and National Grocers constructed a new grocery store in the Town at a cost of $2.5 million. The store currently employs 25.
Cold Water Fisheries, the largest of 7 cage aquaculture sites in the North Channel and Georgian Bay, has 3 cage culture operations and a fish processing plant in the Town. Over 4 million pounds of Manitoulin farmed rainbow trout and artic char are processed annually.
Construction of a $5.2 million Quality Inn and Conference Centre are currently in the planning stage.
REAL ESTATE
There are 1,996 private dwellings in the Town. The vacancy rate for rental units is slightly above national averages. The waterfront commercial area of Little Current is designated a Business Improvement Area and is subject to construction and use restrictions by Municipal By-law. Since the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin And The Islands has recently been restructured, zoning by-laws are presently under review. It can be assumed, however, that a large percentage of available land will be zoned for agricultural use. Land has been reserved near the regional airport for light industrial use, and serviced lots are available for residential development in areas near established communities. A good percentage of undeveloped and un-serviced land is available with proximity to waterfront and recreational areas.
RECREATION
Opportunities abound for recreation in all seasons. The Town is a popular summer destination for sports enthusiasts, boaters, sailors, campers and cottagers. Public beaches, fishing, hiking, fossil hunting, "ecology" tours, yoga classes, cycling tours, garden and art tours, summer theatres, and wildlife watching are popular. Four golf courses and a swimming pool/sauna/water park facility are accessible within a 1-hour drive. An extensive archaeological dig is in progress in Sheguindah and is accessible by the public. The fall foliage is spectacular and hunting is excellent, especially for deer and waterfowl. In winter, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, curling, skating and snowmobiling are popular. The Town is on the provincial snowmobile trail system. A Seniors' Drop-In Centre is open year round at the Recreation Centre.
Special events in the Town include the annual Haweater Weekend, the bi-annual Spring Trade Fair, summer Hockey School, public barbecues, dinner cruises, concerts, street dances, the quilting guild fall quilt show, curling bonspiels, annual square dance conference, and sports tournaments.
Location
The map below has been edited from MapQuest. By clicking on the map below, you may zoom in or out on any location, create and print driving directions.
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This site is currently maintained by Manitoulin Living. All content is subject to change without notice. For further information contact Patrick Kiley at info@manitoulinliving.com