Socio-Economic Impact Report Released in Dryden

Dryden Community Matters has released a Socio-Economic Impact Study which paints a not-so-rosy picture of the impact of the downturn in the forest industry.
The Study found that the loss of roughly 1,000 jobs in Dryden since 2003 represents an annual loss of some $46-$50 million in direct and indirect revenue from the local economy.
The unemployment rate in Dryden and Machin exceeded the Provincial average in the second quarter of 2009 at 13.5%.
Social assistance cases have doubled from 99 in 2002 to 197 this year.
Although the report provides some grim numbers, Community Matters stresses it gives them a better understanding of where we are and how to move forward.
An action plan is expected in the coming months, with input from the public welcomed.