evates our ability to attract
foreign direct investment, ad-
dressing any viable niche, and
we provide targeted economic
expertise that makes us stand
out from competing jurisdic-
tions,” says EDW’s president
and CEO Marina R. James.
“In all instances, we aim to
ensure that Winnipeg contin-
ues to grow with a diversified
economy. And we’re mobiliz-
ing the latest in place-making
strategies to champion the city
as a great place to live, work,
invest and visit.”
YES! Winnipeg, an initiative
within EDW, works to expe-
dite successful business ven-
tures in the city. YES! Win-
nipeg has set the ambitious
five-year goal of helping to
facilitate 4,200 jobs at matu-
rity. As of December 31, 2013,
its third full year in operation,
the initiative has been credit-
ed with helping to secure ap-
proximately 1,830 local jobs.
“Winnipeg probably has one
of the most diverse econo-
mies in the country,” says
Mayor Katz. “We continue to
do well in aerospace manu-
facturing, bio-composites and
agribusiness. We have a tre-
mendous amount of advanced
manufacturing and transpor-
tation/distribution here, along
with financial services and a
growing ICT industry. Ulti-
mately, we want to keep our
core businesses satisfied with
Winnipeg. We want to retain
them and help them grow
right here, while at the same
time attracting national com-
panies and increased foreign
direct investment. The best
outcome is to continue to nur-
ture a balanced and diverse
economy.”
FEBRUARY 2014
H
business elite canada
23
