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WEEDC Sector Committees

In August 2007 the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation hosted a successful, first ever summit of community stakeholders interested in the economic development of the Windsor-Essex Region.

During the breakout sessions of the Challenges of Change Summit, participants were assigned to one of five workshops. Sector leaders were to identify opportunities for investment, including why they are worth pursing and to outline possible strategies and next steps to capitalize on those opportunities. Categories highlighted include Business Retention and Expansion, Diversification from Within and Business Attraction.

The Summit demonstrated that Windsor-Essex required a sectoral approach, thus five sector committees have been developed with a focus on Agri-Business, Education, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Tourism. Each sector is chaired by an industry specialist and members consist of industry experts.

Sector Chairs Working to Identify Opportunity for Investment

Agri-Business

The Agi-Business Sector Committee concentrates its activities on local food producers, food processors, and related businesses, in efforts to support, promote and enhance regional agri-businesses and facilitate lucrative cooperation with other local economic sectors.

Accomplishments

• Partnered with the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association to secure an Ontario Market Investment Fund grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to focus its short term activity on developing a marketing campaign to promote local food to potential buyers.
• Launched a marketing campaign called "Look for Local. It's Worth It." and a website (www.welookforlocal.ca) to provide information about why and how to think locally, and where to buy locally.

Education

The Education Sector Committee is comprised of representatives from all levels of education, from elementary school through post-secondary education, as well as a labour force expert. The committee members recognize that the quality of the Windsor-Essex labour force is directly related to the education received by the region's youth, and that the quality of the labour force has a significant impact on the economy of the region, and the WEEDC's business attraction and retention efforts. The focus of the committee, therefore, is to identify and implement projects which will improve the ability of the students graduating from our education system to succeed in the workforce and to be assets to the region.

Accomplishments

• Secured cooperation in our efforts from all local school boards, the University of Windsor and St. Clair College
• Developed a S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the region's education system
• Developed a logo that incorporated all of the participating organizations
• Began to identify projects that could be undertaken by the committee and to determine how the projects would be administered
• Will provide support to the region's Pathways to Potential poverty reduction strategy

Life Sciences

The committee will focus on determining what opportunities exist for the development of businesses producing exportable goods and services related to the health sector. Windsor-Essex has a small cluster of companies in this sector, related to the production of gel caps and vitamins. Several of the Machine Tool, Die and Mould companies could potentially serve the medical device industry. The new Schulich School of Medicine at the University of Windsor also presents an opportunity to expand in this area.

Accomplishments

• Identified and currently supporting an investment opportunity in the Wheel chair-bed manufacturing sector
• Establishing a relationship with St. Clair College and Windsor Regional Hospital to further the goal of creating a health center in the region

Manufacturing

In Windsor-Essex approximately 93 per cent of manufacturing employment is directly tied to the automotive industry. This includes the Machine Tool, Die and Mould cluster for which Windsor-Essex has the highest concentration in Canada. The group meets on a quarterly basis to discuss ideas, further initiatives and assist the local manufacturing sector in practical, hands-on ways. The group also provides advisory support to the WEEDC for matters pertaining to manufacturing.

Accomplishments

• Successful Lean Consortium underway with 8 regional manufacturers with room for more to join
• Promoted and hosted ITAR seminar for area manufacturers to discuss engagement in US Defense and Military markets
• Involved in Reverse Trade Mission held in conjunction with Canadian Association of Moldmakers in November 2008 sponsoring 33 incoming buyers from 6 countries resulting in 55 one-on-one meetings for procurement with local manufacturing companies

Tourism and Hospitality

This sector is being developed as a new regional tourism initiative and undertakes to enhance the tourist economy of the Windsor-Essex area.