Maybe we have an opportunity here

Perhaps there is an opportunity for Rainy River with the announcement that the province will not be reopening its seasonal Travel Information Centre .
We often accuse Toronto of making decisions for us without understanding us. Well at the same time we often wonder why government runs things the way they do.
The Travel Information Centre was moved from the border location many years ago with hopes that it being part of the 4008 Heritage Square would bolster its effectiveness.
The move seemed to make sense. But how were the tourists to know where the building that was once at the border went?
Driving down the highway after leaving customs there was one little sign with a question mark and an arrow on it. If you blinked you missed it and unless you were to stop at Heritage Square would likely not know where to go for travel info.
So maybe there is an opportunity for Rainy River and its tourist partners Morson, Nestor Falls, Sioux Narrows, etc. to run such a facility here.

Run by local interests with the proper marketing along the highway, it could have tremendous benefits. Tourists may learn of places to visit, places to stay, places to eat and things to do, that otherwise they may not have known about. Getting the dollars to stay here rather than drive right through would be great. And a locally run tourist info. could also market the area on line more effectively than someone from Toronto.
We all know this is a great place to vacation but without a well oiled marketing machine, this area could remain one of Ontario's best kept secrets.
How would we pay for it?
Perhaps a lodging and restaurant tax would work. Or maybe the taxpayers from the mentioned communities could contribute to it. Afterall if more tourists come, more tourist related businesses will set up shop. More businesses means more taxes collected, meaning everyone benefits.
There may even be some grants available to hire staff for the summer months.
–Until then,
Ken