Media Release
Multi-Million Dollar Fundraising Campaign Aimed at Getting More Businesses to Say YES! Winnipeg
May 25, 2010: Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg’s private sector is being urged to provide financial support to ensure the success of a new economic development initiative launched by The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. aimed at attracting new businesses to the City of Winnipeg and assisting existing businesses to expand.
The Yes! Winnipeg initiative fundraising campaign to be led by Wellington West CEO Charlie Spiring is targeting to raise $6 million over the next five years – with $4 million being raised through the private sector and $2 million from the public sector.
“We are well on our way to achieving our goal as a number of private sector companies who strongly believe in the importance of this initiative have already stepped up to the plate in a major fashion,” said Spiring. “Over the next number of weeks we will be fully engaging with the private sector to seek additional support to put us over the top.”
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (formerly Destination Winnipeg) formally announced a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the Selling Winnipeg to the World initiative rebranded to become Yes! Winnipeg and transition from being housed within The Chamber to becoming an initiative with EDW. Yes! Winnipeg will be responsible for business attraction, expansion and retention for the City of Winnipeg.
“This partnership signals the creation of a powerhouse organization that will provide a proactive focus on business attraction that hasn’t been seen before in Winnipeg,” said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus. “Winnipeg has experienced a resurgence in recent years and this announcement will take it to the next level.”
“Creating a single entity to look after economic development in Winnipeg that has the necessary resources is a key ingredient to ensure success,” said Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. President and CEO Marina James. “We will also be establishing an Investor Council that has representation from the business community that will provide advice and guidance to Yes! Winnipeg’s business plan and will help in establishing key performance indicators.”
-30-
