The Ministry of Transportation has awarded a seven-year Britt area maintenance contract to Shwe Miikaan Miller.
The local First Nation-owned and operated company is a partnership between Miller Paving and Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan and Shawanaga First Nations.
According to officials, the contract is for the year-round maintenance of Highways 69, 522, 529 and 529A. The contract involves winter maintenance activities, such as snow clearing, sanding and ice control, as well as summer maintenance activities including shoulder repairs, culvert maintenance, vegetation control, asphalt repairs and roadside safety maintenance.
“Established to create long-term economic opportunities for its member communities, Shwe Miikaan Corporation (SMC) has spent more than a decade building the capacity, experience and partnerships necessary to participate in major transportation infrastructure projects throughout Northern Ontario,” states a media advisory about the contract.
“Through the Shwe Miikaan Miller 2020 Limited Partnership, Shwe Miikaan has successfully completed numerous highway, bridge and infrastructure projects for the Ministry of Transportation, while steadily expanding its workforce, equipment fleet and operational capacity. This contract represents a significant milestone in Shwe Miikaan’s continued growth and establishes a strong foundation for future Indigenous participation in Ontario’s transportation sector.
Officials say the contract is expected to create approximately 15 new jobs, with a focus on Indigenous employment.
