Recognition and Awards

Windsor-Essex has consistently been recognized internationally as a great place to live, work and invest over the past decade and beyond.

Business Facilities Canada 2022 Impact Award

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The 2022 Deal of the Year Impact Awards recognize project investments that will have significant impact in their new or expanded locations, focusing on a specific aspect of the project. IWE was granted the award based on an economic impact analysis and investment overview for the NextStar Energy battery plant project.

2022 Economic Developers Association of Canada Marketing Award

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Invest WindsorEssex’s Marketing and Communications department was awarded a marketing award in the category of ‘Single Advertisement’ by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC). Published in Perspective Ontario – Driving Prosperity magazine, the 2-page advertorial highlighted the Windsor-Essex region as the Automobility Capital of Canada.

2022 AVA Digital Award - Gold

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Invest WindsorEssex was the recipient of a 2022 AVA gold digital award for its newly launched corporate website. The website promotes the Windsor-Essex region as a competitive location for both foreign and local investment and enables easier access to data and information relevant to site selectors and local businesses for the purpose of investment, expansion and talent attraction. This international competition recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communications.

Site Selection Magazine

Site Selection Magazine 2020 Best Location

Windsor-Essex was ranked among the 'Best Locations in Canada to Invest' by Site Selection Magazine in 2020. The magazine has also recognized Invest WindsorEssex (formerly WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation) as one of the top 10 Canadian economic development groups in the "Canada Best 2 Invest" award in 2017. Invest WindsorEssex has also won an honourable mention in the same category.

International Economic Development Council

Invest WindsorEssex and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (formerly WindsorEssex Small Business Centre) has received multiple accolades from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Excellence in Economic Development

Excellence in Economic Development Award

Gold Award, 2017, WindsorEssex Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre - Small Business eNewsletter
Silver Award, 2017, WindsorEssex Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre - Small Business Website
Gold Award, 2015, Invest WindsorEssex - Paid Advertisement Campaign for Communities with Populations of 200,000 - 500,000
Bronze Award, 2012, Invest WindsorEssex - General Purpose Website for Communities with Populations of 200,000 - 500,000
Bronze Award, 2012, Invest WindsorEssex - Special Purpose Website for Communities with Populations of 200,000 - 500,000

fDi Magazine (Financial Times of London, U.K.)

Garnering two fDi Magazine American Cities of the Future Awards, Windsor-Essex was ranked number-one for business friendliness among Small North American Cities of the Future in 2017-2018, and was again ranked in the top-two under the same category for 2015-2016.

In the first-ever fDi rankings of cities across the American continents in 2010-2011, our region competed against some of the world's most prestigious cities and placed in the top 10 in a number of categories, including number-two for Large American City for Economic Potential, and number-one for North American Small City for Investment in 2007-2008.

Profit Magazine

Windsor-Essex was ranked fifth for Most Affordable Place for Doing Business in 2016 by Profit Magazine.

Economic Development Council of Ontario

In December 2011, Invest WindsorEssex received an honourable mention marketing award from Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO) for business development advertising for the 'Grown Right Here - We Look for Local' brand. The brand has been heavily used by businesses across the region, who have reported positive gains for their businesses and an increase in consumer demand for locally produced products.

Intelligent Community Forum

In January 2011, Windsor-Essex was recognized as one of the top-seven Most Intelligent Communities in the world for our area's leadership in the areas of broadband connectivity, knowledge workforce, digital inclusion, innovation, marketing and advocacy at the Intelligent Community Forum.

Stories and articles

Here are some sample stories and articles, detailing what our peers and the media are saying about Invest WindsorEssex and our region: