Building up Winnipeg’s ‘shovel-ready’ supply

A lack of serviced industrial land hindered Winnipeg’s growth last year, but a boost to that supply is on the way.

In 2025, only 20 acres of vacant industrial land was “absorbed” in the Manitoba capital — a significant decline from the annual average of 48 acres over the past five years. (A vacant property is deemed absorbed if a new building is erected on it, a City of Winnipeg report notes.)

City leaders blame a limited supply of vacant shovel-ready land (properties with access to sewer, water and other services) as a key cause of the issue.

“For the jobs and the opportunities that are out there, we need to have shovel-ready lands … so that when industries are looking at expanding and increasing their production, then Winnipeg is a viable option,” said Coun. Jeff Browaty, chair of the finance committee.

Browaty (North Kildonan) also noted economic uncertainty, such as trade and tariff concerns, as a potential barrier to development.

The shortage of serviced industrial land has been on the city’s radar for years. The land-use report notes 31 acres of industrial land were absorbed in 2024, down from 88 acres in 2023, 63 acres in 2022, and 38 acres in 2021.

However, a key project is well underway to add more.

“(The land) is scarce now but … later this year, CentrePort South will open up,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

A $73.7-million project will bring sewer and water connections to the area off CentrePort Canada Way bordered by the Perimeter Highway to the west and Selkirk Avenue to the north, adding those services to 1,800 acres of land within city limits. That will include 1,100 acres of industrial development space, plus additional land for housing.

The servicing project is set to wrap up at the end of August, with the province paying $40 million and the city covering the remaining cost.

Gillingham, who pushed for the servicing effort for years as a city councillor, said the new report shows a great need for it.

“CentrePort South will be the home for the future of high- paid, high-skilled jobs. It is investment opportunity … The CentrePort South lands are really vital to the future of our city,” he said.

In 2024, the city predicted servicing that land would generate more than 16,000 jobs and $80 million in annual tax revenue for Winnipeg, once the area is fully developed.

The same year, the Winnipeg Airports Authority announced it will build a $120-million air cargo facility at part of the site.

On Tuesday, the mayor said talks are underway other additional developers.

Economic Development Winnipeg has long urged the city to add services to more industrial land to attract businesses.

“We can’t facilitate economic growth without additional land to provide for businesses … If we don’t have that serviced land available, then they’re going to look past our market and they’re going to go somewhere else,” said Amanda Macdonald, vice-president of business development and market Intelligence for Winnipeg Economic Development and Tourism.

Macdonald said pre-serviced land helps businesses ensure they can get a project underway without long waits for vital connections. “That allows construction to begin and operations to begin more quickly … Time is money for businesses,” she said.

Years ago, the agency warned the city was losing out on business opportunities to surrounding municipalities, such as the Rural Municipality of Rosser, due to the shortage of serviced land.

Coun. Evan Duncan, chairman of city council’s property and development committee, expects connecting more land to city services should pay off quickly.

“Once the servicing of CentrePort is complete … I would anticipate it would grow pretty quick … (Businesses are) always going to shop around for the best deal,” said Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood).

Meanwhile, the city also met a few of its key housing construction targets last year, according to the land-use report. That included issuing permits to build 6,291 new dwelling units (well above a five-year annual average of 5,343).

Winnipeg also surpassed a target to attract 350 new homes downtown, with permits issued for 1,040 new homes. And the city beat its target to ensure 50 per cent of new homes were built in existing neighbourhoods, with 62 per cent falling in that infill category.

“There’s been a lot of pent-up demand for housing … (Recently) there was some pretty … significant population growth in Winnipeg,” said Browaty.

He expects infill construction to help “reinvigorate” existing neighbourhoods and adding downtown residents will help make the city centre safer.

“More people, more eyes on the street … is only going to help with the safety of our downtown,” he said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca