Invest in the Woodland Economic Region
Where Unprecedented Growth Meets Prime Commercial Opportunity.
The Woodland Economic Region, encompassing the Municipality of Red Lake, the Township of Ear Falls, and surrounding First Nations communities, is entering a historic era of industrial and population expansion. Guided by the Red Lake & Ear Falls Strategic Planning framework, this page serves as your comprehensive developer’s toolkit. Explore the high-impact projects driving our local economy, discover critical commercial gaps waiting to be filled, and access the financial incentives and municipal resources you need to establish your footprint in Northwestern Ontario.
The Catalyst Projects
Powering Regional Expansion
The Woodland Economic Region is home to established gold operations and a pipeline of major mining and infrastructure projects at various stages of development. The profiles below summarize each project’s location, current status and potential relevance to regional businesses, so investors can tell what is operating today from what is proposed or still in permitting.
Project information comes from public proponent and government sources and is reviewed regularly. Timelines and estimates are set by each proponent and may change.
Current Operations
Established mines operating in the Red Lake district today.
Evolution Mining — Red Lake Operations
Evolution Mining’s Red Lake Operations in Balmertown is an established underground gold operation supported by two processing facilities. It produced 127,159 ounces of gold in fiscal 2026 and remains a cornerstone of the regional mining economy.
Status: Operating underground gold mine
West Red Lake Gold — Madsen Mine and Rowan Project
West Red Lake Gold restarted the Madsen Mine and declared commercial production as of January 1, 2026. The company is also advancing the Rowan Project as a potential future source of ore for the Madsen mill.
Madsen Status: operating gold mine.
Rowan Status: exploration and study stage
Projects in Development
Major mining and infrastructure projects that are under construction, in permitting or in feasibility study. Their timelines and economic effects depend on future approvals and investment decisions.
Kinross Gold — Great Bear Project
Located between Ear Falls and Red Lake on Highway 105, Kinross Gold’s Great Bear Project is a proposed high-grade open-pit and underground gold mine. Advanced exploration construction is under way, and Kinross is targeting first production in 2029, subject to permitting.
Status: Advanced exploration under way; main mine project in permitting and detailed engineering
Berens River Bridge and Roads Project
Construction began in 2026 on a permanent bridge across the Berens River north of Red Lake. Expected to be completed in 2028, it will provide year-round road access to Pikangikum First Nation and improve winter road connections for six other First Nations.
Status: Under construction
Frontier Lithium — PAK Lithium Project
Located about 175 kilometres north of Red Lake, the PAK Lithium Project is a proposed open-pit lithium mine and mill. It was the first project accelerated under Ontario’s One Project, One Process framework, and an updated feasibility study is targeted for early 2027.
Status: Development stage; in permitting and feasibility
First Mining Gold — Springpole Gold Project
Located about 110 kilometres northeast of Red Lake, First Mining Gold’s Springpole Gold Project is a proposed open-pit gold and silver mine. It received federal environmental assessment approval in June 2026, and a provincial decision is pending.
Status: Development stage; federal environmental assessment approved, provincial environmental assessment decision pending
The Developer's Toolkit: Essential Links & Resources
Find everything you need to navigate zoning, secure land, and move your project from concept to construction.
Planning, Zoning & Municipal Approvals
Municipality of Red Lake: Official Plan & Zoning By-Law
Township of Ear Falls: Building Permits, Planning & Zoning
Economic Data & Regional Strategies
Woodland Economic Region: Business Gap Analysis & Community Capacity Study
Northern Policy Institute: Community Data Accounts
Available Land & Properties
Red Lake Available Municipal Properties
Ear Falls Available Properties
Funding & Advisory Support
Chukuni Communities Development Corporation (CCDC) – Business Loans & Support
Prime Investment Opportunities (Gap Analysis)
The rapid influx of workers and the newly expanded highway access for northern communities are placing pressure on local supply chains, creating highly lucrative, immediate openings for commercial and real estate developers:
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Accommodations & Workforce Housing: With transient workforces expanding, there is a critical shortage of hotels, multi-unit rental housing, and temporary staging accommodations to support mining and construction staff.
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Retail & Food Services: The region requires expanded retail outposts, grocery facilities, and dining establishments to serve both the growing resident base and an influx of regional First Nations neighbours utilizing the new road networks.
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Contractor & Industrial Services: There is heavy demand for industrial warehousing, commercial real estate, heavy equipment dealers, and skilled contracting firms to support ongoing mine construction and municipal infrastructure upgrades.
Financial Incentives & Grants
To accelerate development, the region offers a robust Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and Financial Incentive Package. These tools are designed to de-risk investment and offset upfront capital costs for developers rehabilitating properties or expanding commercial capacity:
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Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG): Municipal property tax incentives to offset the costs of significant property redevelopment.
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Brownfield Tax Assistance Grant: Targeted tax relief for the remediation and environmental rehabilitation of contaminated industrial sites.
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Commercial and Rental Housing Conversion & Expansion Grant: Financial support to incentivize the creation of new rental units and the expansion of existing commercial footprints.
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Planning Application & Building Permit Fees Grant: Rebates designed to lower the barrier to entry for new construction.
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Additional CIP Programs: Includes the Design and Study Grant, Building and Accessibility Improvement Grant, Façade/Signage/Landscape Grant, and Parking Optimization Grant.