Steinbach’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and economic development was front and centre as Manitoba’s Minister of Innovation and New Technology, Mike Moroz, visited our community for the first time. His full-day tour, organized in collaboration with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and the City of Steinbach, brought the province’s newest cabinet portfolio face-to-face with our business leaders, innovators, and agricultural-tech development.
Alongside Deputy Minister Tyler Gooch, Zach Fleisher, and Lindsey Solmundson, Minister Moroz connected six local organizations—Mode40, RocketRez, Penn-co Construction, Barkman Concrete, and Penner Farm Services. It also included a stop at MJ Kafe for lunch. The tour concluded with a stop at Penner Farms, where the group saw a chicken barn under construction and a modernized milking barn—clear examples of Steinbach’s forward-looking agriculture sector.
Why This Visit Matters to Steinbach
1. A New Portfolio for a New Era
The Department of Innovation and New Technology was created to help businesses thrive in the digital economy, modernize government services, and support emerging industries. Minister Moroz’s mandate focuses on supporting technology adoption, attracting and retaining talent, fostering intellectual property creation, and advancing responsible AI.
Eugene, Vice President of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the value of the day, “We appreciate the time Minister Moroz and his team spent with our Chamber members, seeing how they use technology and pursue constant innovation in their operations.”
2. Rural Innovation, Real Impact
During the tour, Minister Moroz emphasized his “path to yes” approach—listening to local challenges, asking questions, and finding ways to move forward together. Seeing first-hand how Steinbach businesses are integrating technology reinforced the province’s commitment to ensuring rural communities are part of Manitoba’s innovation story.
Tracy Gromniski, Chamber President, added, “Our tour today highlighted that Steinbach’s business community shares the province’s vision for an innovation-driven, talent-rich Manitoba.”
3. Partnership in Action
The City of Steinbach and the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce worked side-by-side to make this visit happen, demonstrating the power of municipal and business community collaboration. Together, they are forging the relationships needed to ensure provincial leaders understand—and invest in—the unique opportunities and needs of Steinbach.
Tessa Masi, Executive Director of the Chamber, shared, “Hosting ministers and leaders from all sectors of government is a key part of our advocacy work at the Chamber, in partnership with the City of Steinbach. These visits allow us to share our community’s business priorities directly with decision-makers, strengthening relationships that open doors for future opportunities and innovation in Steinbach.”
Looking Ahead
Minister Moroz’s visit underscored that Steinbach is more than just a growing rural hub—it’s a driver of Manitoba’s innovation agenda. By building direct connections between local businesses, municipal leadership, and provincial decision-makers, the Chamber and the City are ensuring Steinbach’s voice helps shape policy and programs that matter.
This is just the start. With the province’s innovation mandate aligned with Steinbach’s ambitions, our community is well-positioned to seize new opportunities and continue setting an example for rural economic development across Manitoba.
The Minister’s Mandate — and Why It Matters for Steinbach
Minister Mike Moroz leads Manitoba’s new Department of Innovation and New Technology, created to help businesses adapt, compete, and grow in a rapidly changing economy. His mandate focuses on:
- Supporting technology adoption so businesses can increase efficiency and competitiveness.
- Modernizing government services to make it easier for entrepreneurs to access resources.
- Attracting and retaining talent—especially in tech and skilled trades.
- Encouraging responsible AI development while safeguarding jobs and privacy.
- Fostering intellectual property creation to keep Manitoba-made ideas benefiting Manitobans.
Why it matters to Steinbach:
- Our mix of tech innovators and agriculture leaders makes us an ideal partner in this mission.
- Many Steinbach businesses are already embracing new technology—from manufacturing automation to agri-tech—giving us a head start.
- Direct connections with provincial decision-makers help ensure rural priorities are part of Manitoba’s innovation strategy.
Your Feedback Shapes the Conversations That Matter
Last week, Steinbach welcomed provincial Ministers on a tour of our community — a valuable opportunity to showcase our region’s strengths and share our business challenges directly with decision-makers.
But our advocacy doesn’t end with one visit. The Business Advocacy Survey is how we gather the data and stories that keep your concerns on the table long after the Ministers leave.
The more voices we hear, the stronger our message becomes. Whether it’s shaping policy, improving infrastructure, or addressing workforce shortages, your input guides our priorities and fuels our conversations with all levels of government.
Take the Business Advocacy survey today — and be entered to win 2 tickets to the Taste of Steinbach ($370 value). Together, we can keep Steinbach’s business community front and centre in provincial decision-making.
