The construction phase of the new Hay River fish plant has been completed, the GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI) announced in a Sept. 10 news release. 

All told, the plant cost the GNWT $21.75 million to build SA国际影视传媒� $2.2 million of that sum was provided by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency while $6.65 million came from Infrastructure Canada. 

The original estimate for the project was approximately $15 million.

SA国际影视传媒淭he completion of the construction phase of the Hay River Fish Plant is a major step on the path towards revitalizing the Great Slave Fishery, supporting a diversified NWT economy," ITI Minister Caitlin Cleveland stated. "The plant will aim to create new jobs and the ability to process and sell NWT fish as we progress towards a fishery managed and operated directly by the local companies and fishers who work on the lake.SA国际影视传媒�

The GNWT's long-term goal is for the new plant to be managed and operated by "local companies, organizations and fishers who work on Great Slave Lake," the news release reads. In the interim, the government has contracted the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) to run the plant for the three years. 

At the moment, more fish are required for the facility to "maximize its production levels and financial returns to NWT fishers," the release states. However, it is expected that it will be "ready to receive and process fish from the winter fishery season."

The hope is that the new plant will "mean new jobs in processing, packaging, selling, and transporting Northwest Territories (NWT) fish for market," as well as "new products and a greater choice for residents shopping for fresh, healthy, and locally-produced food."

The completion of the construction phase of Hay River's new plant was commemorated with a community fish fry. 

Premier R.J. Simpson, in attendance for the celebration, called the completed building "more than just a new facility."

"[This is] a major step towards restoring the Great Slave Lake fishery and supporting NWT fishers with better returns," he said. "I look forward to watching the future of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 fish industry unfold.SA国际影视传媒�