Government invests in trade and new markets in Manitoba

The Government of Canada is investing more than $7.5 million into four Manitoba organizations to help advance trade, infrastructure and new markets in the province.

Manitoba is home to several world-class export clusters that produce high quality products. Clusters include digital industries within the creative and financial sector, heavy equipment manufacturing cluster that develops zero-emission technology, agriculture and ag-equipment, aerospace, transportation and logistics and biosciences.

The investment announced through the Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) program and the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) support projects that are showing positive results and contributing to building on Manitoba’s economic strengths.

“We are grateful to PrairiesCan for their commitment to enhancing Manitoba’s economic development ecosystem and investment-readiness,” said Carly Edmundson, president and CEO, CentrePort Canada Inc.. “With support from PrairiesCan, CentrePort has been able to build new relationships within the advanced manufacturing and value-added agriculture sectors. We are actively working with companies that we engaged with through this project to help them establish or expand their operations at CentrePort.”

Regional Innovations Ecosystem Program (RIE) – Investment of $5,662,000

The RIE program makes targeted investments in not-for-profit organizations that support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. RIE is open to not-for-profit organizations that support businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs, for start-up, growth, productivity, technology commercialization, technology adoption, and export and investment attraction.

North Forge ($2,070,000)

• Enhance incubator/accelerator programming to grow the Manitoba innovation ecosystem. To date, 120 Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) or startups have raised over $8.5 million with over $7.7 million in revenue growth.

Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW) ($2,500,000)

• Develop marketing initiatives to strengthen Foreign Direct Investment. Through this investment, EDW aims to attract foreign companies to fill gaps in key Manitoba sectors.

Manitoba Music Industry Association ($1,092,000)

• Increase export market development and business growth of Manitoba-based music companies. This investment has resulted in artists being signed and Manitoba songwriters being published.

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) – Investment of $1,859,784

The JGF provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. PrairiesCan is investing $122.9 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, promoting an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs across the Prairies.

CentrePort Canada ($260,000)

• Work to build supply chain efficiencies for CentrePort as well as other companies in Manitoba. As a direct result of this investment, more than
• 50 business development meetings were held thanks to a proactive outreach and two open leads are in progress with companies exploring development opportunities at the inland port.

Economic Development Winnipeg ($1,579,784)

• Implement a jobs portal and talent services to support key sectors in Manitoba. This is resulting in Manitoba being positioned as a leader in the creative sector.