Economic development agency releases five-year strategy

An economic development agency has released a new five-year strategy charting a course for the city’s economic and tourism growth.

Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism, formerly known as Economic Development Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg, launched the strategy at the Leaf on Tuesday morning.

President and CEO Ryan Kuffner outlined the strategy’s three goals: boost competitiveness by developing Winnipeg into one of Canada’s most investment-ready and economically vibrant cities; elevate the city’s global profile to attract people, investment and opportunity to the city; and harness Winnipeg’s business and tourism community to drive citywide prosperity.

Targets for 2026 to 2030 include creating 11,000 jobs and a $3.4-billion impact on the city’s GDP.

The agency developed the strategy through collaboration with business, tourism, Indigenous government and community partners.

“This strategy is grounded in our mission and vision, guided by three interconnected goals that will move Winnipeg forward — and when Winnipeg moves forward, Manitoba does too,” Kuffner said in a news release. “It’s our roadmap for protecting what’s at risk and building the kind of prosperity our city and province deserve.”