Media Release
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. Named One of Canada's Top 10 Economic Development Groups by Site Selection Magazine
September 12, 2013: Winnipeg, MB – Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) has been identified as one of Canada’s top 10 economic development groups by Site Selection magazine in its sixth annual Best to Invest awards and rankings. The September 2013 issue also lists Winnipeg as a top Canadian metro based on April 2012 to March 2013 project data derived from the magazine’s proprietary New Plant Database—which counts projects according to specific criteria related to new construction—and the publication’s own research initiatives.
“The city of Winnipeg is experiencing a tremendous period of growth and renewal,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “Now we know that the city of Winnipeg's growth is exceptional even when compared to other Canadian cities, placing us in the category of Top Canadian Metro. In addition, I congratulate Economic Development Winnipeg for a job well done, gaining recognition as one of Canada's top economic development groups.”
A pair of high-profile projects counted toward Winnipeg’s top-tier placement in the rankings. Opening last November, IKEA Winnipeg is one of Canada’s biggest-ever IKEA stores—totaling almost 400,000 square feet—and serves as the anchor tenant in the nearly 200-acre Seasons of Tuxedo development, a super-regional commercial destination centre projected to cost $400 million when complete. Making the cut as well is Maple Leaf Foods’ $90-million expansion expected to create about 350 full-time-equivalent positions. The two-part project calls for the construction of a new 72,000-square-foot facility to process raw sliced bacon and a significant upgrade to Maple Leaf’s existing processed meats operation.
Rounding out the list of the city’s more notable projects is the $10-million expansion by Winpak Ltd., which is expected to create an additional 125 jobs over five years, and the decision by CN Rail to open a Winnipeg-based national training centre in early 2014, affirming the city’s role as a key tri-modal transportation hub with direct links to air, road and rail. Other initiatives cited by the publication include the 100+ acres now in various stages of development at CentrePort Canada, Winnipeg’s tri-modal inland port and foreign trade zone, as well as the new or expanded manufacturing and distribution facilities by such firms as Fort Garry Fire Trucks, Trailer Wizards, C&T Rentals, Star Produce and Motomco Group of Brazil.
“The recognition by Site Selection magazine of EDW’s ongoing work to attract and retain businesses and to secure investment is very gratifying, and we’re honoured to have earned a place alongside our esteemed Canadian peers,” said Marina James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. “But even more rewarding is Winnipeg’s designation as a top metro area, demonstrating that the spirit of collaboration is alive and well here between business, academia and government. And with a dozen qualifying projects contributing toward this top-10 finish, the work our civic leaders and all other contributing stakeholders are doing to develop Winnipeg’s overall economy is resulting in windfalls we’ve never before witnessed.”
Site Selection magazine’s September issue, featuring its Best to Invest report entitled ‘Home and Away’ that starts on p. 123, can be accessed online at www.siteselection.com/digitaledition.
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About Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) is the lead economic development agency for Winnipeg. EDW facilitates investment promotion and attraction, capacity building, tourism development, marketing and the management of market information. By applying competitive intelligence and by fostering relationships with industry leaders, government officials and community stakeholders, potential opportunities and innovation drivers are evaluated to develop key industries and define future economic growth. EDW supports targeted sector development and promotes Winnipeg’s diverse economy and high quality of life.
EDW leads global investment attraction, and local business retention and expansion, with its YES! Winnipeg initiative. YES! Winnipeg’s business development team assists in the creation and retention of jobs, identifies opportunities that attract new investment, focuses on expansion and helps local entrepreneurs launch new commercial ventures.
Tourism Winnipeg is the city’s official destination marketing organization tasked with increasing visitation and delivering the best possible visitor experience. A division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., Tourism Winnipeg’s mission is to facilitate a healthy, prosperous, responsible and fully integrated tourism industry that enhances Winnipeg’s economic growth through the acquisition of meetings, conventions, sports and events, group travel and leisure tourism.
www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
About Site Selection Magazine
Site Selection magazine, published by Conway Data Inc., delivers expansion planning information to 44,000 executives of fast-growing firms. The senior publication in the development field, Site Selection is also available via Site Selection Online (www.siteselection.com). The Site Selection Dispatch, a weekly e-mail newsletter, is delivered to approximately 44,000 industry professionals. The publication also publishes a growing family of e-newsletters. Conway Data is an international publishing and association management company headquartered in Atlanta. The firm manages the Industrial Asset Management Council. The firm also owns and manages London-based Red Hot Locations, organizer of worldwide FDI events; Berlin-based FDI advisory firm Terrain Consulting; and New York-based The PONT Group, a leading public relations and lead-generation firm.
For further information, please contact:
Croft Petersmeyer
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Phone: 204.954.1961 Cell: 204.898.4866
croft@economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
