This international initiative will highlight local efforts to promote economic growth and prosperity in every community over the course of May 6 to May 10, 2024.
WINDSOR-ESSEX, ONT. (May 6, 2024) – The Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) Business Retention and Expansion team and Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), together with the City of Windsor, Town of Amherstburg, Town of Essex, Town of Kingsville, Municipality of Lakeshore, Town of LaSalle, Municipality of Leamington, Town of Tecumseh, Township of Pelee and Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade are hitting the streets this week to actively promote Economic Development Week (EDW) 2024 and the programs and services available to the local business community.
Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, Economic Development Week aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.
Invest WindsorEssex and SBEC, together with economic development officers and representatives from partnering municipalities will visit several businesses across Windsor-Essex. The purpose of this initiative is to provide information on resources and to promote taking a regional business conditions survey to generate insight into the Windsor-Essex business community and broader programming and supports needed.
The annual regional survey was developed in partnership with Workforce WindsorEssex and ecosystem partners and will be promoted and distributed throughout Windsor and Essex County to ensure maximum participation across all industries. The survey will remain open for the entire month of May. The assimilated data collected helps the City, County and region identify specific issues and challenges faced by Windsor-Essex companies and helps to ensure continued collaboration and teamwork among the partners. The data generated from the survey will also be effective when advocating for programs and supports for business to all levels of government.
A social media campaign will accompany these efforts providing links to the regional survey as well as specific contact information and resources for each municipality and economic development partner. The campaign will also highlight the local activities taking place throughout EDW 2024.
Regional economic development team and municipal partners contact list.
Quotes
“This year’s International Economic Development Week showcases the remarkable collaboration among stakeholders in Windsor-Essex, including Invest WindsorEssex and Workforce WindsorEssex. Our collaborative efforts underscore that economic progress relies heavily on community and business input. The data we gather from our surveys is crucial, helping us tailor resources that empower all sectors—from manufacturing to tech—to thrive. Our city boasts the nation’s leading economic indicators. As we witness exceptional growth, unprecedented transformations, and significant projects taking shape, the necessity of a coordinated approach in our diverse and evolving region cannot be overstated. Through our shared insights, and by embracing the opportunities and challenges facing us, we will continue to forge a prosperous path forward.”
– Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor
“Essex County and Windsor are poised for historic growth and unprecedented opportunities for economic diversification with the completion of a new border crossing, the construction of a regional hospital and the opening of a multibillion-dollar battery plant that will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Existing businesses are ideally positioned to benefit from these transformational projects and accelerate our region’s incredible momentum, which is why it so important to engage with them during Economic Development Week. By working with Invest WindsorEssex and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre to identify and confront challenges, and share knowledge, success stories and lessons learned, the members of our business community can support each other to create jobs and collectively maximize the incredible potential of the economic opportunities on the horizon.”
– Hilda MacDonald, Warden, County of Essex
“We are once again pleased to participate in International Economic Development Week and collaborate with the region’s economic development partners and companies. It’s our goal to encourage businesses across Windsor-Essex to take the 2024 regional business conditions survey and make them aware of the programs and resources available. This survey is a valuable tool that provides insight into the needs of our local businesses and our role in supporting them to ensure continued economic growth.”
– Joe Goncalves, Interim CEO and Vice President Investment Attraction & Strategic Initiatives, Invest WindsorEssex
“Workforce WindsorEssex, the region’s workforce and community planning board, is excited to support this valuable initiative. Economic Development Week spotlights the diverse range of industries and opportunities within our region. From manufacturing to technology, our collective efforts aim to cultivate an ecosystem where businesses can thrive and individuals can find meaningful employment. The information collected through the Economic Development Annual Business Conditions Survey gives important insight to help promote the region and to provide even more opportunity. I encourage all employers to actively participate by meeting with our teams or completing the survey online, ensuring that your voice is heard in shaping the future of our workforce and economy.”
– Justin Falconer, CEO, Workforce WindsorEssex
About Invest WindsorEssex
Invest WindsorEssex is the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region. The focus of the organization is to develop and execute strategies to retain, expand, attract and help new businesses start-up in Windsor-Essex. Invest WindsorEssex is led by a board of distinguished community leaders. A team of professional staff will assist you with all your location and investment decisions by working one-on-one with businesses, to facilitate the process of starting, growing or locating in Windsor-Essex. investwindsoressex.com
About International Economic Development Week
Economic Development Week is an event created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to celebrate economic development among communities around the world. The event will occur from May 6-10, 2024. Communities and organizations can join the celebration by visiting iedconline.org/edw
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IDCs members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. iedconline.org
Media Contact
Gina Meret-Dybenko
Director, Marketing and Communications
Invest WindsorEssex
Mobile: 519-791-6223
Email: gmeret@investwindsoressex.com