EDC restructures; Former Greyhound and Penguins draft pick heads new division

July 14, 2010

A veteran provincial civil servant has joined the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation team. Dave Murphy — who has an extensive career as a senior staffer with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry — recently became the head of the EDC’s new Business Sault Ste. Marie (BusSSM) division.

Murphy, a former Soo Greyhound and Pittsburg Penguin draft pick, spent much of his career in the ministry’s economic development agency, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, working on private-sector programs and initiatives. This experience, along with his knowledge of provincial funding programs, makes him a great fit for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.

"I am very enthused to be joining the EDC team and look forward to this opportunity with Business Sault Ste. Marie to further improve the economic development future of my hometown," said Murphy, who holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

BusSSM is a newly-merged division combining the EDC’s industrial and small business divisions, Development Sault Ste. Marie and Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie. The merger was done to make the Economic Development Corporation a more efficient organization. 

The new division will continue the strong partnership with the provincial government in delivering entrepreneur programs and services.  BusSSM will also work to promote the province’s Northern Ontario Growth Plan.

The EDC now consists of three operating divisions:
• Business Sault Ste. Marie – Supports and attracts businesses to create jobs and increase the municipal tax base
• Tourism Sault Ste. Marie – Works to attract visitors and increase their length of stay
• Corporate Services – Provides administrative support to the corporation as a whole

"The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation is constantly looking to improve and add value to our programs and services, especially in serving our entrepreneurial and business clients,” said CEO Bruce Strapp. “We are very excited in attracting Dave as our executive director for Business Sault Ste. Marie. He brings with him over 25 years experience in economic development. Our clients will have much to gain in working with the EDC and this new knowledge base."