____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT CAMPAIGN AIMED AT GETTING MORE BUSINESSES TO SAY YES! WINNIPEG
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. Announce Expansion of Proactive Private Sector Led Approach to Economic Development
May 18, 2010 – Winnipeg’s private sector is being urged to provide financial support to ensure the success of a new economic development initiative aimed at attracting new businesses to the city of Winnipeg and assisting existing businesses to expand.
The Yes! Winnipeg initiative investment campaign to be led by Wellington West CEO Charlie Spiring is targeting to raise $6 million over the next five years – with $4 million being raised through the private sector and $2 million from the public sector.
“We are well on our way to achieving our goal as a number of private sector companies who strongly believe in the importance of this initiative have already stepped up to the plate in a major fashion,” said Spiring. “Over the next number of weeks we will be fully engaging with the private sector to seek additional support to put us over the top.”
Yes! Winnipeg led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (formerly Destination Winnipeg) that will see the Selling Winnipeg to the World initiative rebranded as Yes! Winnipeg, and transition from being housed within The Chamber to becoming an initiative within Economic Development Winnipeg.
“The Yes! Winnipeg initiative aligns with our organization’s goal to lead and facilitate opportunities for growth within our nine industry sectors,” said Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. President and CEO Marina James. “Through our new structure we will establish an Investor Council to ensure that private sector contributors can lend their knowledge and network to the organizations overall economic development efforts.”
The collaborative efforts taken on part of both organizations is a testament to the strong relationships within the local business community to ensure Winnipeg is recognized globally as an ideal city to do business.
“This partnership will provide a proactive focus on business attraction that hasn’t been seen before in Winnipeg,” said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus. “Winnipeg has experienced a resurgence in recent years and this announcement will take it to the next level.”
Contact: Chuck Davidson – Vice President Policy and Communications
Tel: (204) 942-3011 ext. 210 Cell. (204) 782-1679
Email: cdavidson@winnipeg-chamber.com