Chamber Blog

Friday afternoon, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce—in partnership with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce—hosted an Economic Development Tour in Steinbach.

Attendees locked in at the Economic Development Tour luncheon and presentations

This included visiting various businesses in the area, and a luncheon at the Southeast Events Centre (SEC) to showcase the new complex.

More than 60 businesses were in attendance, including one from Thompson. Jamie Moses, the provincial minister of business, mining, trade and job creation was also there.

“The primary focus is to understand and listen to business leaders. We also want to talk about where we want to go as a province, and understand how the business community can work in partnership with government…to really advance our economy,” the minister says.

Minister Jamie Moses delivering a presentation at the Economic Development Tour luncheon

He mingled with business representatives to discuss various concerns, ideas, and took their questions during a presentation he gave.

Why hold an Economic Development Tour in Steinbach?

Minister Moses says Steinbach is an excellent place to have an economic tour like this.

Minister Jamie Moses

“The Steinbach region is really, really important as the third largest city (in Manitoba). It’s an economic driver. Its business leaders employ Manitobans,” he explains.

“Southeast Manitoba is strong in terms of the entrepreneurial spirit,” he adds. “They’re willing to work together and build as a community. We want to understand how we can lift that up.”

Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce says it won’t surprise anyone to see the growth trajectory Steinbach has been on for the last number of years.

Chuck Davidson making a presentation at the Economic Development Tour luncheon

He says the SEC is an example of that.

“Holy smokes, look what you guys have done here,” he says.

Tessa Masi, executive director of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce fully understands what the area has to offer.

“We’re pretty humble and we don’t like to brag much, but we should brag more. We have so many incredible things here. Family businesses like Friesen Drillers, who are passing the torch to the fifth generation. That’s an incredible feat,” she says.

Tessa Masi, executive director of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce

Potential impact of the Economic Development Tour

The nature of the Economic Development Tour was intended to be as impactful long-term as it was informative.

Davidson says a lot of that impact is likely to come from new relationships between businesses, and between business owners and Steinbach as a whole.

“We’ve got individuals from immigration (in attendance), from education facilities…that might be able to work with some of the businesses to understand what various challenges are,” he says.

Economic Development Tour attendees chatting

“The hope with these tours, is to make some connections that are going to last outside of just today that are going to last and help these communities moving forward.”

He adds having so many business leaders out to Steinbach also generates awareness about the area, and could see many return, or suggest going there.

Angela Cassie, the Chief Operating Officer of Travel Manitoba says she, for one, is glad to have taken a tour of Steinbach businesses.

“We know there’s a lot happening in the Steinbach area, so I’m excited to be in some of these places,” she says.

Angela Cassie

From a tourism perspective alone, she says the area has tremendous assets, including the Mennonite Heritage Village.

It’s made her wonder how more traffic can be driven here, and ensure people are using their dollars in support of the community.

For this reason, it’s essential for her to collaborate and meet with local businesses—as she did on the tour.

“From a tourism perspective, infrastructure is a huge issue. So highways and transportation and everything like that. We also know workforce is a significant issue… So how do we collaborate so that we’re all able to ensure that profitability to offer and grow our services?” Cassie says.

Ken Pankratz, owner of Signex Manufacturing Inc. in Steinbach was glad to be a part of the day.

“I think it’s a great honour that they show interest in Steinbach and what we do as businesses in the area,” he says.