SAULT STE. MARIE -- Phase two of the plan to turn Sault Ste. Marie into a "Music City" has commenced.
The strategy builds upon the project's initial launch last November, spearheaded by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.
"We're trying to build that economic capacity in Sault Ste. Marie to really build a stronger economy here around the music industry," said Rory Ring, Chamber of Commerce CEO.
Ring says a music city is described as a community of any size, with a booming and vibrant music economy.
They are designed to support a broad range of professionals, artists and musicians with creative spaces.
Phase two will also include the launch of a music industry assessment survey.
"We want to know what those in the industry need to thrive in the city," said Ring.
"These are artists with a very extensive portfolio, so it's already extremely impressive as to what the musical economy generates here locally."
The plan incorporates several leaders from the tourism sector, including Destination Northern Ontario.
For the organization's executive director, David MacLachlan, among the benefits of a music city, is the belief it will help a struggling economy, post COVID-19.
"Celebrating arts and culture are huge, in a normal year, that's about a quarter billion dollar gain in Northern Ontario," said MacLachlan.
Ring says phase two also includes the development of a music industry task force and that team will work to present a strategy to city council.
"The hope is that it will be included in the city's cultural planning strategy."
