Invest WindsorEssex/Media Release
Invest WindsorEssex unites regional partners to showcase local businesses, collaboration and economic impact
WINDSOR-ESSEX, ONT. (May 4, 2026) – Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), in collaboration with the 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 the City of Windsor are proud to recognize Economic Development Week (EDW) 2026 taking place May 4 to 8.
Throughout the week, economic development professionals from across Windsor-Essex will visit and engage with local businesses to celebrate their contributions to the region’s economy and highlight the programs and services that support business growth, job creation and community prosperity.
Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Economic Development Week is an international initiative designed to raise awareness of the critical role economic development plays in building strong, vibrant communities. The campaign highlights local efforts that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve quality of life.
This year’s regional campaign will focus on showcasing businesses across Windsor-Essex, highlighting success stories and demonstrating the impact of a collaborative, region-wide approach to economic development. Through coordinated outreach, partners will promote available resources, celebrate local achievements and reinforce Windsor-Essex as a competitive and growing place to do business.
A social media campaign will accompany these efforts, featuring local businesses, economic development partners, municipal initiatives and programs that support entrepreneurs, investors and employers across the region.
Regional economic development team and municipal partners contact list.
Follow our campaign:
Facebook – @investwindsoressex
Twitter – @_investwe
Instagram – @investwindsoressex
LinkedIn – @investwindsoressex
Quotes
“Economic Development Week is an opportunity to recognize the people, businesses, partnerships, and significant investments that are driving growth today while positioning our region for decades to come. That success is built on strong collaboration between municipalities, organizations, and the business community. As we continue focusing on Windsor’s long game in the face of global economic uncertainties, our region continues to see transformative investment and opportunity. Through local initiatives like Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, Strengthen the Core, and the strategic development of Sandwich South, we are further laying the foundation for sustained and responsible growth. What we’re seeing across Windsor-Essex is the result of deliberate collaboration between municipalities, industry, education, upper levels of government, and a highly skilled workforce. From advanced manufacturing and automobility, to small business growth and entrepreneurship, by working together, investing responsibly, and standing in lockstep to navigate the challenges and leverage every opportunity in front of us, we are creating and sustaining the conditions for long-term prosperity and a high quality of life for our residents. As we celebrate this week, we recognize the leadership and the strength of our region-wide approach to economic development, which continues to position Windsor-Essex as one of the most dynamic and resilient economic communities in the country.” – Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor
“Together we are better. In no realm of life does that apply more than in business development. And at no time this century in Essex County has public/private collaboration been more urgent than right now. We all know of the new, serious economic challenges facing our region. Thankfully, Invest WindsorEssex once again has stepped up and taken the lead in trying to implement meaningful solutions that involve both the private and public sectors. Unsurprisingly, Invest WindsorEssex already has sparked innovative, collaborative successes that are bringing about meaningful, region-wide solutions to our challenges.” – Hilda MacDonald, Warden, County of Essex
“Invest WindsorEssex is proud to work alongside our municipal partners to deliver a coordinated, region-wide approach to economic development. Economic Development Week is about celebrating the successes of our local businesses and showcasing the impact and strength of our partnerships. Together, we are building a resilient and competitive economy for Windsor-Essex.” – Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer, Invest 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 4-8, 2026. 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: [email protected]