Timmins is prepared for the next step

Timmins EDC has compiled reasons to choose it

We have more reaction to the news that Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie are the final two cities on the short list for a new smelter to be built by Noront Resources.

Sudbury and Thunder Bay were eliminated from that list last Friday.

In Timmins, the news is being received with enthusiasm and optimism.

Noront's Ring of Fire plan has been creating conversation for over a decade as the massive chromite deposit inches towards feasibility and production.

Now, the company says its ferrochrome smelting facility will find a home either in Timmins or in Sault Ste. Marie.

"I think this is a great opportunity for the City of Timmins, very proud to be in the final two cities for the Noront ferrochrome facility and just a big thank you to our team." said Timmins Mayor Steve Black.

For the past seven years, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation has worked to compile a hefty file packed with reasons for Noront to build its plant in Timmins.

Fred Gibbons is the Chair of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation.

"Certainly a degree of relief, knowing that we're down to two, but we still believe that we have a strong bid in this particular exercise right now, but everything is clearly now, in Noront's lap right now." said Gibbons.

He says the resources company will now enter negotiations with corporations in both Timmins and the Sault, looking for the best price on the best facility.

In Timmins, they'll be sitting down with Glencore looking to take over the Kidd Creek site.

"I think we're just positioned geographically very, very well. And we have this tremendous metallurgical asset and infrastructure on that property that I think just bodes very, very strongly for Timmins future with Noront." said Gibbons.

As Noront digs into the cost of real estate, as well as financial benefits and drawbacks in both cities, Steve Black says Timmins will maintain an open dialogue with the company.

Noront expects to announce the home of its smelting facility by the end of the year.