This report highlights business development

accomplishments by the WindsorEssex Economic

Development Corporation (WE EDC) from July to

September 2019 and provides an overview of regional

economic development interactions that include, but

are not limited to, outreach, consultation, trade shows,

performance metrics, entrepreneurship, marketing, and

international outreach by the Business Development

team.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES IN WINDSOR-ESSEX /windsoressex /windsoressex/weecdev

Through these and other activities, the team focuses on five key areas:

Business Attraction

Small Business Centre

Business Retention & Expansion

Institute for Border Logistics and Security

Marketing and Communications

Quarterly reports are provided to funders, stakeholders and the general public and are posted on the Corporation’s website www.choosewindsoressex.com

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019 THIRD-QUARTER ACTIVIT IES

NOTICE: On July 22, 2019 we moved to 119 Chatham Street West, Unit 100, Windsor, ON N9A 5M7

Q3B U S I N E S S A T T R A C T I O N

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The Business Attraction (BA) team coordinated and

hosted Mariann Demeter-Pintér from the Office of the

Consulate General of Hungary for a full day of meetings

with WE EDC, the University of Windsor and the Institute

for Border Logistics and Security. Ms. Demeter-Pintér

was interested in strengthening ties through mutually

beneficial partnerships between Hungarian and

Windsor-Essex firms. She came to learn more about the

local ecosystem’s work on cross border technology and

ways to leverage this technology.

Ms. Demeter-Pintér was joined by Peter Simon, Director

of Zalazone - a technology and testing facility for electric

and autonomous vehicles in Hungary. The BA team

provided a comprehensive overview of the Region

and a live demonstration of the VR Cave located at the

IBLS. Additionally, the BA team facilitated meetings

with University of Windsor representatives from the

Cross-Border Institute and CHARGE lab. Discussions are

ongoing to formalize working relationships.

Hosting the Office of The Consulate General of Hungary

Mariann Demeter-Pintér from the Office of the Consulate General of Hungary receives a VR demo from staff from Ansys.

ABINFER’s President, Luis Albano, samples whiskey from the vat at the Wisers Brand Experience.

Business Development in BrazilIn cooperation with the BR&E team,

BA hosted seven tool and mold

companies from Brazil. The Brazilian

mission was led by Luis Albano,

President of ABINFER – the Brazilian

equivalent of Canadian Association

of Mold Makers. Chief Executive

Officers from the seven companies

spent upwards of one month in the

Region to fully and comprehensively

understand how to do business in

Canada. Over the month, the BA

team coordinated multiple programs

including working sessions about:

Canadian legal structure; Canadian

tax considerations; staffing best

practices; and the site selection

process. A comprehensive package

was prepared by BA to clearly lay out

each step a company must take as it

considers expansion into Canada.

An immediate response from the

delegation has been very positive,

four companies have taken next steps

to begin expansion plans into the

Windsor-Essex region. Additionally, Mr.

Albano has extended the invitation for

WE EDC to present at the International

Fair of Machine Tools and Industrial

Automation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This is an opportunity for WE EDC to

provide a tailored strategy for opening

offices in the Windsor-Essex region

to over 300 machine, tool, die, mold

and automation companies. Planning

is underway to prepare for this

investment attraction mission.

Q3

W.E. Shop Local Show Returns for a 5th Year

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As part of Small Business Month celebrations, SBC is pleased

to present the annual W.E. Shop Local Show to be held

Thursday, October 24th at the Fogolar Furlan Club, from 5-9

pm. Now, in its 5th year, the show has grown to become one

of the Region’s largest and most popular shop local shows

for consumers to explore what the Windsor-Essex small

business community has to offer. Presented by the WFCU

Credit Union, the show will feature over 50 unique local and

independent small business vendors featuring one-of-a-kind

artisan and fashion wares, beauty and wellness products,

food and beverages, door prizes and networking.

Show your support for the entrepreneurs who keep our

local communities strong and vibrant and explore, sample

and shop Windsor-Essex with us. The event is FREE and

open to the public. Learn more.

In August, the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre (SBC) was

pleased to announce that they would be launching the Digital

Main Street Program to storefront businesses across BIAs in

the City of Windsor and the municipalities of Amherstburg,

Essex, Kingsville, LaSalle, Tecumseh and Harrow. As part of

the program, SBC received a $125,000 grant from the Ontario

government to establish a Digital Service Squad – that

consists of four highly trained recent graduates.

Digital Main Street is a program and service that helps

main street businesses achieve digital transformation.

The program is built around an online learning platform,

structured training programs, and a Digital Service Squad

who will help main street businesses grow and manage

their business through the adoption of digital tools and

technology.

The Digital Main Street program provides the opportunity for

grants of up to $2,500 to help businesses strategically adopt

technology and meet their digital goals. Read the media

release.

To-date, the squad has conducted over 105 meetings.

For more information or to find out when the Digital

Service Squad will be in your area visit:

www.windsoressexsmallbusiness.com

The Digital Service Squad and the Kingsville BIA Coordinator met with the owner of Dutch Boys Chocolate of Kingsville.

The Digital Service Squad met with the Wellness Market in Tecumseh.

SBC launches Digital Main Street Program

S M A L L B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

Q3

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S M A L L B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

Summer Company 2019

This long-standing Ontario government program provides students an

opportunity to explore entrepreneurship first hand. Summer Company

provides full-time students, 15-29 years of age a grant of up to $3,000 to start

and operate a small business along with business training, mentorship and

advisory services through SBC.

This year saw increased enrollment from area high school students. Thirteen

students were enrolled - ten high school and three post-secondary students.

Businesses included biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives

to single-use plastics, custom artworks, lawn care and landscaping, private

and group tutoring services for newcomers and those looking to improve

their writing skills, code education for children within 5 - 15 age range,

website design and IT services.

The program kicked off with a full-day of orientation and training where

participants received business training on topics including customer

identification, sales and advertising, social media marketing and goal setting.

Additionally, mandatory bi-weekly mentor meetups facilitated by business

leaders delved into shared successes and challenges as well as financial

planning, time management, hiring and more practical business know-how

strategies.

This year the Summer Company program was a staple at the Downtown

Windsor Farmers Market. The students were eager to participate and

showcase their businesses amongst the larger small business community.

While the group was very diverse, they all shared an entrepreneurial spirit

and desire to pursue their businesses further.

Summer Company participants promote their businesses at the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market.

Myrtle Donnipad, Youth and Entrepreneurship Programs Advisor, SBC with the 2019 Summer Company student entrepreneurs.

Q3S M A L L B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

Small Business Tax Compliance Workshop

Marie Thompson, Liaison Officer at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) presents to small business owners.

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Regulations” workshop, presented

by Marie Thompson, Liaison Officer

at Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

This workshop provided in-depth,

step-by-step information on the

process of filing taxes as a sole

proprietorship and was highly

received by the attendees who asked

a lot of specific business-related

questions.

SBC continues to deliver many

informative and educational

business development sessions to

small business owners.

One of the most popular and well-

attended workshops delivered

in partnership with the Canada

Revenue Agency (CRA) continues

to be the “Small Business Tax

and Canada Revenue Agency

Learning how to manage your books

and stay in compliance with the Canada

Revenue Agency (CRA) is fundamental

to any business. Due to the need and

demand, more workshops will be

delivered in partnership with the Canada

Revenue Agency (CRA). Check out SBC’s

calendar of events!

Q3B U S I N E S S R E T E N T I O N & E X P A N S I O N

Emerging Technologies Conference and Trade Show September 10, 2019

day lives. Joris Myny (Siemens) offered

the audience a view of the future in his

presentation, Emerging Technologies

in the Digital Transformation. Reid

Schook (Rockwell Automation) presented

Investing in People and Technology to

Address Workforce Challenges. Darren

Ward (Vineland Research and Innovation

Centre) provided insight into the

advances in Automation in Agri-Food

Processing.

The exhibitors and attendees also had

the opportunity to participate in six

breakout sessions that included topics

such as Artificial Intelligence; Factory

of the Future; Digital Simulation and

Automation in Agriculture.

products and interface with experts in

the field of automation and technology.

The conference was launched by

Windsor Mayor, Drew Dilkens and

Essex County Warden, Gary McNamara

who brought greetings and welcomed

all the delegates. Morning highlights

also included the announcement

of a strategic partnership between

Automate Canada and Michigan-

based nonprofit manufacturing and

technology business association,

Automation Alley.

The keynote speaker Paul Zikopoulos

(IBM Canada) provided a high energy

look at how “Artificial Intelligence”

will influence industry, consumers

and how we function in our day-to-

The WindsorEssex Economic

Development Corporation (WE EDC)

in partnership with the National

Research Council of Canada Industrial

Research Assistance Program (NRC

IRAP) and the Canadian Association of

Moldmakers (CAMM) presented the

4th annual Emerging Technologies in

Automation Conference and Trade

Show at Caesars Windsor. With over

380 attendees and 53 exhibitors

this was the most successful year

to date. Furthermore, this was the

first year that Emerging Technologies

introduced the “Start Up Zone”

(sponsored by Automate Canada)

where startup automation companies

had the opportunity to display their

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Q3B U S I N E S S R E T E N T I O N & E X P A N S I O N

Second Visit by Brazilian Tool and Mold Delegation

8th Annual Trade Day – U.S. CBP Detroit Field Office

Virtual Trade Mission between Automate Canada and Automation Association of India

Following their visit earlier this year, the Brazilian tool, die and mold association ABINFER sent seven companies to Windsor-Essex in August. Two members of the delegation, who were both part of the April delegation, stayed in the Region for approximately one month and the other five for 10 days. WE EDC provided temporary office space for the delegation and the Business Retention & Expansion team arranged site visits to 10 local companies. There were additional meetings with companies they met with during the earlier trip. Some of the delegation members were looking for Canadian partners who can provide technology that they lack, in order to better serve their OEM and other customers in Brazil. At least two or three of the connections are likely to result in new business for the Windsor-Essex companies.Brazilian delegation visit Concours Mold Inc.

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Homeland Security Investigations, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, the U.S.

Patent and Trademark Office, Food &

Drug Administration, Small Business

Administration, Canadian Border Services

Agency, Canadian Food Inspection

Services, and the Canadian Consulate

General of Canada in Detroit.

Participating companies provided an

overview of their operations and the

products or services they were looking

for so synergies could be identified.

Another virtual meeting is expected to

take place this fall to further build and

strengthen relationships.

and/or emerging trade strategies

and clarification on new and existing

trade priorities through formal

presentations. The “day” was quite

resourceful from a bi-national

perspective, allowing BR&E to network

one-on-one with representatives from

both U.S. and Canadian government

agencies such as: Immigration

and Customs Enforcement-

automation and robotics companies in

Windsor-Essex and India.

Participants of the meeting included

Gary McNamara, Essex County

Warden, Tracey Ramsey - MP, Town

of Essex, community partners and

company representatives from both

Automate Canada and the Automation

Association of India.

On August 13, 2019, members

of the BR&E team attended the

8th Annual Trade Day in Detroit,

hosted by U.S. Customs and Border

Protection. The Trade Day provided

an opportunity for those in the trade

community to participate in open

dialogue and information sessions,

and to hear formal presentations

about the implementation of new

The BR&E team in partnership with

the Ontario International Trade

and Investment Office in Mumbai

coordinated a virtual trade mission

between Automate Canada and the

Automation Association of India. The

purpose of this trade mission was to

discuss opportunities for partnership

and collaboration between industrial

Q3B U S I N E S S R E T E N T I O N & E X P A N S I O N

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Welcoming the Delegation from Satillo, Mexico - Sister City to the City of Windsor

Engaging Windsor-Essex with Government on International Trade Diversification

The BR&E team arranged a tour of the Ford Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing (FCEM) at St. Clair College for the delegation and members of the City of Windsor’s International Relations Committee. Nathaniel VeltKamp, Manager, International Recruitment, provided a presentation on the Tool & Die training program they have conducted in another region in Mexico, in partnership with the Ford Motor Company and a Tier 1 Supplier. The success of this program was very well received by the members of the delegation and this sparked continued dialogue about possible opportunities for a partnership with Satillo. Dale Sinnaeve, General Manager, Operations Engineering & Skilled Trades, conducted a tour of the FCEM where the delegation witnessed firsthand, many international students in the program, developing their skills at the Centre.

The WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation and the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a roundtable discussion with Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification, Omar Alghabra, at the WE EDC offices. Various key sector stakeholders from the Windsor-Essex region and a representative of the Trade Commissioner Service, Global Affairs Canada, joined Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra, in discussions surrounding Canada’s Trade Diversification Strategy and how this could create opportunities for our businesses to expand their global footprint and enhance their competitiveness abroad. Our Windsor-Essex business representatives provided feedback on the tools and resources that our companies need to help them diversify, navigate foreign markets, and succeed internationally.

Mexican delegation tour the Ford Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing.

A roundtable discussion with Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification and key sector stakeholders.

Q3IBLS Hosting VR CAVE Demonstrations

Feds Provide $5 Million to Support Windsor-Essex Automobility Cluster

Since the launch of the Virtual Reality (VR) CAVE on May

29th at the Institute for Border Logistics and Security, WE

EDC’s Mobility Analyst Ed Dawson has been conducting

outreach and providing demonstrations to showcase

Canada’s largest publicly accessible VR CAVE. To date,

there have been over 40 demonstrations to a variety

of interested participants, including: OEMs, small- and

medium-sized companies (local and international),

entrepreneurs, and students. The CAVE offers great

business potential as well as equipping teachers and

young people with future skills. Efforts are underway

to convert interest into projects that will support the

development, testing and validation of connected and

autonomous vehicle technologies. Visit wavin.ca

On Friday, September 6th, WE EDC received $5 Million

over three years from the Federal Economic Development

Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to support

diversification by focusing on automobility initiatives that

span the following areas within mobility technologies:

connectedness, autonomy, shared and electrification.

WE EDC will use the funding to continue to partner

with others to build on the work being conducted

through the designation of Windsor-Essex as a Regional

Technology Development Site with the Autonomous

Vehicle Innovation Network in Ontario. This will include

expanding the capabilities of the state-of-the-art VR

CAVE to support local companies to digitally twin their

innovative prototypes for testing purposes within the

ANSYS software. In doing so, this will offer many of the

region’s innovative manufacturers the opportunity to utilize

specialized equipment and conduct R & D around the

next generation of products for the automobility sector.

In addition, funding will support other activities to support

economic diversification, such as: investing in the Region’s

entrepreneurial ecosystem, conducting global outreach

and promoting nearshoring; and supporting market-

relevant research at the University of Windsor through the

Cross-Border Institute and cybersecurity initiatives.

I N S T I T U T E F O R B O R D E R L O G I S T I C S A N D S E C U R I T Y

Members of Windsor’s Google Developers Group visit the VR CAVE.

VR CAVE demonstration at the September 6th funding announcement.Photo from (L to R): Ryan Gilleran, Application Engineer, ANSYS; Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Community; City of Windsor Mayor, Drew Dilkens.

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Q3Windsor-Essex Women Emerge Initiative

On August 22, 2019, the Government

of Canada announced that it would

be providing up to $692,000 over the

next four years to provide coordinated

support to women entrepreneurs

in the Windsor-Essex region to start

and grow a business in emerging

technologies. The funding will be

administered by the WindsorEssex

Small Business Centre to support a

range of activities linked to breaking

down barriers and supporting women

across the Windsor-Essex region to

start and grow emerging technology

businesses across all stages of

business development. WE EDC

is partnering with other economic

development organizations across the

Windsor-Essex region: University of

Windsor’s EPICentre, WEtech Alliance,

Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network,

WorkForce Windsor Essex and Build a

Dream. More details will be available

shortly, but efforts are underway to

bring on board a full-time Coordinator.

I N S T I T U T E F O R B O R D E R L O G I S T I C S A N D S E C U R I T Y

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Q3M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Corporate Marketing & Communications

Top Site Visitors Canada USA India South Korea China

Website & Social Media Analytics

The Marketing and Communications department focuses on creating strategies that support business development initiatives within the areas of Business Retention and Expansion, Business Attraction, and Entrepreneurship as well as, provides client support. Advertising strategies are aimed at enhancing business development and promoting the Windsor-Essex region.

Strategic programs and activities include the following:

Integrated marketing and advertising campaigns, event management, sponsorships, media and public relations, collateral materials, and communication through social media channels including video and corporate websites. Marketing maintains corporate brand standards and brand image across all media.

Choosewindsoressex.comUsers – 7,262Pageviews – 14,985New Visitors – 6,279Returning Visitors – 983

Audience – 15,033Impressions – 271,281Interactions – 5,241

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Q3M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

AdvertisingEmerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Trade Show

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Social Media Campaign Examples

The Windsor Star advertising campaign included a print ad and digital ads – see screen capture above.

A multi-faceted and an integrated marketing strategy was developed to promote the signature conference and trade

show. The groundwork was laid by creating new assets for the conference website. An extensive social media ad

campaign for Facebook, LinkedIN and Twitter was developed to attract sponsors, trade show exhibitors and delegates

to the conference as well as feature speakers and highlight the topics. A Windsor Star campaign included targeted

digital ads, print ad and the LED digital sign located in downtown Windsor. On CKLW AM800’s Experts on Call,

Jonathon Azzopardi, President of Canadian Association of Moldmakers, Vladimir Franjo, Industrial Technology Advisor,

National Research Council Canada – IRAP and Lee McGrath, Director of Business Retention and Expansion, WE EDC

presented information regarding the industry and the conference and trade show.

Q3M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

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The Marketing and Communications department supported the Small Business Centre’s Digital Main Street Program with marketing assets that included Squad Member Business Cards, post cards and posters.

Digital Main Street

W.E. Shop Local Show

In preparation for SBC’s W.E. Shop Local Show on October 24, 2019, the Marketing and Communication department

developed an integrated marketing strategy. Social media ads were developed with a goal of attracting small business

vendors and promote the upcoming event. Advertisements were placed in Biz X Magazine (Pg 23) and Windsor Life (Pg

65) Magazine ads were complimented by interviews with Sabrina DeMarco, Executive Director, Small Business Centre.

A Windsor Star campaign included targeted digital ads, print ad and the LED digital sign located in downtown Windsor.

Radio campaigns to promote the event throughout the Region were developed for CKLW AM800 and 93.9 The River,

that included commercials with small business clients/vendors – Little Foot Foods, Frank Brewing Co. and Whiskeyjack

Boutique as well as by Sabrina DeMarco. Also, a commercial will be aired on Blackburn Radio stations. To compliment

the radio commercials, digital ads will be displayed on all the radio station websites and interviews are scheduled. As

part of an in-kind sponsorship, the event will be advertised on YourTV. The marketing assets to promote pre and during

the event include post cards, posters and lawn signs as well as the event passport and give-away laptop stickers.

Branding of the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre continued in the third quarter.

Q3M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

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Media Relations

The following media releases were prepared by the Marketing and Communications department to communicate

corporate initiatives:

• Meet and Support the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre’s Summer Company Entrepreneurs at the Downtown

Windsor Farmers Market

• Windsor-Essex, Ontario Launches Digital Main Street Service Squad Community receives $125,000 Digital Main Street

Grant to help main street businesses improve online presence.

• Minister Ng announces Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Investments

• FedDev Ontario announces support to drive automobility innovation in Windsor-Essex

• RoadLaunch Next Generation Logistics Supply Chain & Settlement Signs MoU with WindsorEssex Economic

Development Corporation

• Over 350 Delegates Attend the 4th Annual Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Trade Show

• Automate Canada and Automation Alley Sign MoU

Media interviews included:

• CBC News: Windsor-Essex could soon see an influx of Dutch greenhouse tech companies

• CTV: Report highlights tech sector concern for cities like Windsor

• CBC News: Federal funding to boost Windsor’s women tech entrepreneurs

• The Windsor Star: Windsor-Essex lands $692,000 to boost women entrepreneurs

• All Media Coverage: FedDev $5M investment in Windsor/Essex

• The Windsor Star: Conference highlights Windsor’s emergence as automation powerhouse

Michael Siu, University of Windsor; Vice President Research and Innovation; Douglas Kneale, University of Windsor, Provost; City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens; Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Susan Anzolin, IBLS; Stephen MacKenzie, WE EDC

Q3M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

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Media Relations

Steve Salmons welcomes Stephen MacKenzie to Windsor Port Authority news conference.

Stephen MacKenzie welcomes Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and thanks FedDev Ontario for the $5M funding.

As part of CenterLine (Windsor)’s strategic plan to invite organizations for tours, WE EDC was pleased to accept the invitation.

Stephen MacKenzie, WE EDC presents to a delegation from Saltillo, Mexico.

President and CEO Representing WE EDC & the Windsor-Essex Region

• Presentation: Saltillo, Mexico Delegation

• Remarks: Windsor Port Authority News

Conference

• Presentation: Amherstburg Economic

Development Advisory Committee

• Remarks: FedDev Announcement

• Remarks: Minister Fedeli Roundtable

• Welcome remarks: Emerging

Technologies in Automation

• Staff tour of CenterLine Ltd.

Q3What We DoThe WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation advances economic development and prosperity in our Region. We are the Region’s lead economic development agency and a dedicated catalyst for business growth and expansion. We attract new businesses to our region, help strengthen existing businesses and support entrepreneurship in four key ways:

1. WE Inform and Promote To be the leading source for economic information and promotion in the Windsor-Essex region.

2. WE Invest and Attract To promote the Windsor-Essex region as a premier location for business attraction and expansion.

3. WE Innovate and Advance To diversify the Windsor-Essex region and enable companies to be leaders in innovation and not victims of technology disruption.

4. WE Engage and Collaborate To lead, inform, guide, connect and leverage the economic development ecosystem in theWindsor-Essex region.

choosewindsoressex.com

Total amount of new investment to the region, through both public and private investment streams.

Top Economic Priorities as reported by Windsor-Essex Businesses

Skilled Trades / Labour Demand and Challenges

Access to training supports for businesses, across key sectors

Regulatory Environment – Cross-Ministry Delays in Application Reviews, Permit Approvals

Business Immigration – Labour Mobility

Uncertainty of Trade Agreements

58 Expansions Facilitated

5 Funding Applications and Joint Papers Developed

Business Startups

Priority Files

New Jobs Facilitated

35

34

318

New Investment Facilitated$26,439,000

† Note: The above figures reflect all of Windsor and Essex County, Q2 2019 to Q3 2019. Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey custom tabulation

Regional Economic Indicators†

Population 15+348,600

Labour Force215,400

Employment199,700

Unemployment15,700

UnemploymentRate 7.3%

Participation Rate61.8%

Employment Rate57.3%

51 Sessions729 Attendees

Business Support Sessions

12345

0.8%

0.4%

2.3%

0.7%

1.8%

1.8%9.4%

P E R F O R M A N C E M E T R I C S 2 0 1 9

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