FOR THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE COMMUNITY
About us
Northern Community Solutions (NCS) is a Social Enterprise focused on providing sustainable solutions to our clients and partners in remote Northern communities. Working predominantly in Northern Ontario, we empower communities to plan, implement, and sustain grassroots initiatives that build thriving places to live.
NCS proudly takes a collaborative approach with our clients: we work with them to identify and pursue key opportunities such as sustainable energy production, food security, and community development.
Many Northern communities face similar challenges but NCS believes that these challenges are best addressed by respecting the complexity of people’s experience. We take great care to understand our clients’ unique needs, strengths, and opportunities. Based on this understanding, we evaluate and recommend initiatives that actually build community.
For us, a successful project is one which harnesses existing strengths and opportunities by building local capacity and skill. NCS succeeds if our clients no longer need us.
our services
To deliver many of these solutions, NCS has a strong network comprised of government bodies at all levels (Federal, Provincial, Municipal, Foreign) and technology providers that have experience in delivering solutions based on remote, rural and Northern needs.
- Managed implementation of Biomass, Solar, and Wind energy systems
- Community Energy Assessments, Community Energy Plans and Business Cases
- Practical Training and Knowledge Transfer Programs
- FireSmart & Wildland Fire Management
- Forest Planning & Management
- Practical Training and Knowledge Transfer Programs
- Community Gardens
- Year-round Community Greenhouses
- Hydroponic Growing Systems
- Practical Training and Knowledge Transfer Programs
- Community Economic Leakage Studies to Quantify Financial Inflows and Outflows, and Identify Opportunities to Retain Financial Resources and Intensify Growth
- Engagement of Communities to Identify Capacities, Leverage Interest, and Set Priorities
- Economic Development Strategic Planning
- Evaluation of Economic Development Initiatives
- Development of Practical Implementation Plans
- Feasibility planning & analysis, including capacity and financial assessment
- Business planning
- Human resources planning
- Training program implementation
- Funding applications
- Government negotiations
- Sourcing private financing
- Project Management
- Project Pre-planning
- Technical Feasibility Analysis
- Costing Estimation and Evaluation
- Experiential Youth entrepreneurship programs
- Remote or distance-training solutions
- Innovative solutions for capacity-building
Our Team
Northern Community Solutions is proud to have a diverse and experienced team of professionals that have a strong focus on providing practical solutions to challenges that face businesses and organizations throughout Northern Ontario.
Andreas Zailo
Andreas is the CTO for NCS and works with groups of technical experts and engineers on planning and implementing projects. Andreas also leads the business and community development planning projects which includes feasibility studies, business plans and marketing studies. Andreas has a diploma and degree in mechanical engineering and has two Canadian patents in sustainable greenhouse design.
Judy Sander
Judy is a Senior Business Adviser to Northern Community Solutions and has worked collaboratively with company principles for several years. With over 20 years of experience in Northwestern Ontario in economic and business development, she plays an executive role for NCS and is a key team members who brings a wealth of knowledge and value to our diverse range of projects and clients.
Craig macsemchuk
Craig Macsemchuk is an experienced electrical designer and project manager who has worked in the petroleum, solar power generation, energy conservation, and medical device industries. As a licenced petroleum mechanic and graduate of electrical engineering from Lakehead University, he brings both hands-on and technical skillsets to his projects. Spending most of his career in Northwestern Ontario, he has seen firsthand the unique energy needs of the north and the immense opportunities the north has to offer.
Ari Elo
Ari Elo is an experienced project developer and management consultant with extensive experience in assessing Northern Canada’s remote community challenges, forming valuable long-term partnership with public and private industry stakeholders in provincial, National and International level organizations. Ari utilizes his industry contacts and provides the communities with the best possible solution.
Graham Bracken
Graham is an experienced project and logistics manager who has worked extensively in Northern locations. Because of this, he has a keen appreciation for the challenges faced by many Northern communities. Graham holds a degree in economics and executes economic studies, feasibility studies, and business plans.
colin hunter
Colin is a PhD candidate at Lakehead University and is a civil engineer with a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge in construction, civil engineering, site / civil earth works and general renovation and building construction. He has a diverse experience set with projects ranging from MTO highway management to working for the Toronto Transport Commission to ensure that underground subway construction continued without collapsing and loss of life and equipment.
Contact US
Send us a message, we’d love to hear from you!