April 23, 2015
Manitoba Government Renews Investment in Economic Development Winnipeg
– – –EDW Initiatives Creating Thousands of Jobs, Securing Future Conventions for Winnipeg: Minister Chief
The Manitoba government has renewed operational funding for Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW) for 2015-16, Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief announced today.
“Economic Development Winnipeg plays a key role in keeping Manitobans excited about the province they live in,” said Minister Chief. “This renewed funding supports EDW’s initiatives and will ensure Winnipeg remains a top destination for tourism and business investment.”
EDW is a public-private partnership, led by a private-sector board. It is the lead economic agency for Winnipeg and offers a wide range of services, including its Yes! Winnipeg initiative, dedicated to business growth and promoting Winnipeg’s economic advantages, and Tourism Winnipeg, which is focused on facilitating a healthy, prosperous tourism industry. The province will invest more than $1.2 million for 2015-16.
“This funding will help us promote homegrown initiatives and create jobs for Manitobans,” said Marina R. James, chief executive officer, Economic Development Winnipeg.
As of December 2014, Yes! Winnipeg had assisted in 59 investment projects, which will create an estimated 2,650 jobs, the minister said, addingits five-year goal is the creation and retention of 4,200 jobs by the end of 2015.
Tourism Winnipeg and its partners have secured more than 150 future meetings and conventions, which collectively will attract more than 36,000 delegates and almost $37 million in direct expenditures, Minister Chief said.
“We’ve seen many exciting developments in Winnipeg over the past few years including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the expansion of the RBC Convention Centre, the new James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and the Journey to Churchill polar bear exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo,” said the minister. “Through our continued investment in Economic Development Winnipeg, we will keep building on the incredible momentum we’re seeing in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba.”
Since 2010, total funding to Economic Development Winnipeg has been more than $8 million.
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