Council in the Village of Morrin is working hard for the future of the community.
One of the biggest changes to the community is the progress Prairie Land Public School Division is making on the new Morrin School. Mayor Chris Hall sees it as a very positive development in the community and hopes it will help the village grow.
He is looking at opportunities for business to come in.
“We are working on a gas station,” Hall tells the Mail, adding there are other vacant properties in the village which could be used for new businesses. He has also been talking to a possible distiller coming to the community.
“They are getting taxed to death up in Fort McMurray… they are thinking of moving their whole operation down here, so we are trying to convince them to come,” said Hall.
He says he is active in looking for businesses to locate in the community, and says the new school could help that.
“The school is putting in an apprenticeship program for automotive, carpenters, electricians …that kind of thing. They are trying to get the trades going in the school,” he said.
He adds the new school has the potential to spur residential development. Property in Morrin when it comes vacant doesn’t stay on the market very long.
“We’re trying to get someone in for development, get some new housing because with the new school going in, there might be some new families wanting to move in. The village hasn’t been expanded in a long time,” he said.
When the construction of the school is complete, the road into town will be repaved after it was torn up for utility work.
The business community in the village has remained consistent. Hall says the hotel has new ownership and management and, they are looking forward to its opening. A music store has also opened in the community that offers lessons and musical instruments for the community. The council is also still looking at the addition of a campground, but it might be a few years before it is a reality.
The village has set an interim budget but has not passed the 2023 operating budget yet. They are feeling pressures from utility rates and inflation, and are anticipating a possible small raise in taxes.
Hall says last year they did some work on its water pump infrastructure, and there is more work on its water system this coming year including some rehabilitation of the cistern, as well as a hydrant replacement and the installation of some isolating water valves.