CentrePort Canada’s continued success in attracting private sector investment (and jobs) – resulting in an expanding domestic, continental and global trade profile – augers well for Manitoba and by extension Canada’s economy.
That was the message brought to attendees of the February 3, MHCA-hosted Breakfast with Leaders webinar featuring Diane Gray, founding President and CEO of CentrePort Canada.
Attending in the audience were elected and administration representatives from each of the three levels of government, from colleague stakeholder organizations and members of the MHCA.
MHCA has had requests from those who attended to distribute a link to the webinar. You can hear the presentation by clicking here.
Ms. Gray presented a convincing case with impressive data for the future of Canada’s first largest tri-modal inland port a 20,000-acre footprint straddling the City of Winnipeg and the RM of Rosser.
CentrePort Canada is a critical piece of Manitoba’s – and by extension Canada’s – trade productivity and profile. “We’re getting noticed for what’s happening here” amongst locaters and public office holders, Ms. Gray told the audience in the online session.
Some CentrePort Canada highlights:
- $235 million in building permits issued since 2019
- 2 million SF under construction since 2019
- Six new industrial parks
- 100+ new companies
- 2,000 acres currently in active development
Ms. Gray noted the launch of the 665-acre Rail Park and the coming development of 1,800-acre CentrePort South have changed the conversation among site locaters, real estate developers, corporate headquarters and government officials about the potential of CentrePort Canada.
The inland port’s full development impacts include:
- 98,377 person-years of employment
- $1.18 billion in provincial tax revenue
- A boost to Manitoba’s GDP of $7.9 billion
Ms. Gray also said Canada needs to refocus and dramatically increase its investment in trade infrastructure, moving from the ‘shovel-ready’ concept to the ‘shovel-worthy’ priorities – those trade infrastructure projects that are multi-year, but come with a business plan and elevated ROI to GDP.
Please take a moment to check out the full breakfast session, by clicking here.
Ms. Gray’s power point presentation can be found here.