The Uranium industry has spurred both old and new industrial and agricultural development on the North Shore of Lake Huron. Blind River has "become the focal point for an expanding population area. Blind River itself has a popultation of approximately 3,268. Due to its strategic position on the North Shore and "being in the centre of a great forest, mineral and tourist country, it will undoubtedly become the hub of development along Lake Huron. A number of administrative offices are located in Blind River including the Algoma area office for the Ontario Hydro, the District Headquarters for the Ontario Provincial Police, Department of Lands & Forests, Department of Highways and the Bell Telephone Main Office. In additions Blind River is the headquarters for North Shore Propane gas, British American Oil and Imperial Oil. The leading newspapers in the area (Sudbury Daily Star, Sault Daily Star, and The Blind River Leader) have offices in Blind River. Many contracting firms engaged in the various building trades operate throughout the area from Blind River. The town has a full representation of churches; Anglican, two Roman Catholic, United, Baptist and Gospel Tabernacle. A modern district high school serving the North Shore from Iron Bridge and Dayton Township in the west as far as Spanish in the East, will soon be completed. There are 75 places of business in the confines of the town of Blind River. A new post office and Federal building will soon be constructed and handle services which have heretofore been processed by office in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. It is anticipated that a second outlet from Elliot Lake will be undertaken in due course and this will undoubtedly come directly to Blind River - a distance of only 23 miles. Ten miles of such a road is already in existence. Sixteen miles to the west of Blind River is Iron Bridge. Farms in this area are regaining economic significance as a result of the industrial developments that are taking place. Many houses are being constructed in this area, by workers from Blind River. The population of the village itself is 650. Houses, motels and garages are being built at a rapid rate and adding to the population of the area. Iron Bridge is the shopping centre for a prosperous farm