Windsor-Essex joins communities across Canada and the United States to increase awareness of jobs, career development and programs that enhance and provide local economic impact.
Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, May 7, 2018 – A media conference was held today at Level One Robotics and Controls Inc. in Windsor to announce that the Windsor–Essex region is participating in and celebrating International Economic Development Week (EDW 2018) commencing today May 7th to May 11th. International Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) – which is the largest professional membership organization for economic developers and is recognized by economic development professionals across Canada and the United States – with a goal to increase awareness of local programs that support job creation, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life.
“We are pleased to collaborate with the region’s economic development organizations and participate once again in the 2018 National Economic Development Week. Included in our 2018 EDW activities will be the Business Retention and Expansion survey. We will be encouraging local businesses to take the survey because it’s a valuable tool to measure the pulse of the region’s business community. It gives us insight into the needs of our local businesses and our role in helping them stay competitive and successful.” – Stephen MacKenzie, CEO, Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation
This is the second consecutive year of participation by the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (WE EDC) in collaboration with the nine municipalities across the region (Amherstburg, Essex, Kingsville, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Leamington, Pelee Island, Tecumseh and Windsor), and partnering with the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre (SBC), WEtech Alliance, Workforce WindsorEssex (WFWE), and the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth.
“The City of Windsor is pleased to collaborate on International Economic Development Week. Events like these help to promote the City and Region as a positive place to do business. By streamlining our data collection through the one-survey approach we will ensure that all organizations are working and planning from the same information. I encourage all of our City of Windsor businesses to participate by completing the Business Retention and Expansion Survey.” -Drew Dilkens, City of Windsor Mayor
The ‘one survey’ concept that was developed last year by participating organizations is part of this year’s EDW 2018. This business retention and expansion (BR&E) survey was created to prevent ‘survey fatigue’ by the business community, and to share the aggregated collected data results. Since all participants are using the same survey data they are able to analyze trends which improves the validation of the information. The data collected will help the city, county and region identify specific issues and challenges faced by Windsor-Essex companies and will help promote continued collaboration and teamwork among the partners. Through communications and face to face meetings the companies will be encouraged to ‘take the survey’ that is available to them throughout the entire month of May. In 2017 over 200 surveys were completed.
“Our goal is to have businesses stay, grow and become more competitive in the Windsor-Essex Region. This week we’ll remind business that they don’t have to do it alone, there is help and support from a number of local organizations that can provide resources and new opportunities. From helping businesses expand to attracting new ones, and helping companies with their workforce needs, there is plenty of help. It’s about ‘team work.” –Tom Bain, Essex County Warden
New this year, is a daily business resource to be promoted online and through social media accounts (join the conversation using #EconDevWeek #EDW2018) of the local economic development agencies. Each partner will highlight a tool or service relevant to the business community. Some examples of resources are – workforce forecasting tools, navigating city hall videos, free coaching/mentoring classes and more. On Friday, May 11th WE EDC’s BR&E team will conduct a business visitation blitz and will present the survey, explain the BR&E services and review the Employer Matrix, as a reminder of how Government programs support business.
MONDAY, MAY 7
WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation hosts a media conference at Level One Robotics and Controls Inc. to launch Economic Development Week in Windsor-Essex.
TUESDAY, MAY 8
WEtech Alliance will host a special Economic Development Week episode of their Tech in the City podcast, which will talk about the free resources, tools and events designed to help our local tech community create, innovate and accelerate. WEtech will also be sharing local technology and innovation success stories on Twitter & Facebook throughout the day using #TechInTheCity.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9
Workforce WindsorEssex will host a media conference to launch the Community Labour Market Plan (CLMP) – a roadmap for workforce development followed by an event that will walk community organizations through the CLMP section by section by WFWE research staff.
THURSDAY, MAY 10
The WindsorEssex Small Business Centre will host an evening of networking with regional entrepreneurs at the Sandwich Brewing Company from 5 to 8 pm. Entrepreneurs will share success stories, ideas and learn from experienced business owners in the community. They will learn how local resources like the Starter Company Plus program have helped many SBC clients start or grow their business.
FRIDAY, MAY 11
The WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation BR&E team will conduct a blitz by visiting businesses to promote the regional survey, explain the BR&E services and support available to them to help in the creation, retention and expansion of jobs. Additionally, they will review the Employer Matrix as a reminder of how government programs can support businesses.
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