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Sault Ste. Marie Looking to Develop, Construction Summit Showcases Opportunities

"We have a lot of potential for growth," Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority director Justin Knepper said.

Leaders in Sault Ste. Marie say now is the time to see what the city can be.

There’s the potential for big projects in the near future.

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) wanted to bring the community together at a Construction Summit at Lake Superior State University.

9 & 10’s Blayke Roznowski and photojournalist Noah Jurik shows you their vision for the future of the Soo. 

The EDC says there are major opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie and that’s why they wanted to bring everyone together Tuesday.

"We hope to see that our contractors and our developers in our local area realize what we have to offer, whether it’s property, or our industrial parks, our airport, our community," Sault Ste. Marie EDC executive director Jeffrey Holt said.

There could be major job opportunities with the possibility of building a new Soo Lock.

"The last time that we did something like this, the community that worked on it actually stayed here that were from out of town," Holt said, "so, it actually grew our population."

And plans are in place for construction of a roundabout on a high traffic corner in Sault Ste. Marie.

"Road projects not only mean safety, but it means job creation as well and good paying jobs," Holt said.

The future for development is looking bright.

Craig Patterson from the Woda Group has been working on plans for Osborn Commons, a 65-unit housing development with commercial space.

It’s one of the needs discussed Tuesday.

"You’ve got the potential for lock redevelopment and reconstruction and you’ve got a lot of big companies here that need housing for their people," Patterson said. 

The EDC says they have open properties for development downtown, at the airport industrial park and more.

Contractors agree: now is the time to buy.

"Competition is really good for Northern Michigan," Patterson said. "More looking at Northern Michigan and contemplating development, I think it’s better for all of us."

The EDC says they hope to hold another Construction Summit next year.

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