The Village of South River is committed to building a strong and sustainable future by investing in economic development. Guided by the 2025 Strategic Plan, the Village is advancing projects that create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents. From renewable energy initiatives to tourism development, South River is positioning itself as a hub for innovation, community growth, and regional collaboration.

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Why Economic Development Matters

Economic development plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term prosperity of South River. The Strategic Plan identifies five priority areas:

• Expanding community transit through reliable and inclusive ride-share programs.

• Investing in green energy by exploring solar projects on municipal buildings.

• Supporting the adaptive reuse of municipal properties.

• Growing experiential tourism, particularly through initiatives at Tom Thomson Park, including star-gazing events and cultural programming.

• Building strong partnerships with businesses, community groups, and regional organizations.

Together, these priorities help strengthen workforce attraction, reduce long-term municipal costs, and create new opportunities for residents and entrepreneurs.

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Economic Development Officer

To support this vision and advance local initiatives, the Village has appointed an Economic Development Officer to lead and coordinate economic development activities.

Officer Details

Name: Tanvir Kabir
Position: Economic Development Officer / Recreation Director
Contact: 📞 705-386-2573 ext. 107 | ✉ EDO@southriver.ca

Tanvir Kabir serves as the Economic Development Officer and Recreation Director for the Village of South River, where he leads initiatives that support economic growth, business development, tourism promotion, workforce attraction, and community revitalization. He works closely with local businesses, community organizations, government agencies, and regional partners to identify opportunities that strengthen the local economy and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors.

Tanvir holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Science from the University of Dhaka and has completed specialized economic development training through the University of Waterloo's Certificate in Economic Development Program and the Northern Policy Institute's Sustainable Northern Ontario Economic Development (SNOED) Program. Prior to joining the Village of South River, he gained professional experience in financial services and banking, along with roles focused on project coordination, administration, and community development. This diverse background provides him with valuable expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, financial analysis, and organizational development.

In his role, Tanvir supports a variety of initiatives including business retention and expansion, tourism development, transportation planning, renewable energy projects, grant and funding applications, newcomer attraction, and regional partnership development. He is committed to helping South River and the Almaguin Highlands build a strong, sustainable, and resilient future through collaboration, innovation, and community-focused economic development.

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Looking Ahead

Over the coming years, the Village will continue to:

• Develop new business and investment opportunities.

• Explore alternative uses for underutilized municipal properties.

• Invest in renewable energy projects to reduce long-term municipal costs.

• Expand tourism programming at Tom Thomson Park and the South River Train Station.

• Support workforce attraction, retention, and newcomer settlement.

By investing in economic development today, South River is building the foundation for a thriving, inclusive, and resilient future.