Strategic Plan Presentation

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Strategic Plan Presentation
September 2008
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Vision Statement

• WEDC will be the business-driven,
  business-led organization focused on creating
  prosperity and recognized for generating economic
  value and a high quality of life throughout the
  Windsor-Essex Region

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Mission Statement

• Maximize economic diversity, growth and
  prosperity in the Windsor-Essex Region

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Sector Committees

• Agri-Business
• Education
• Life Sciences
• Manufacturing
• Expand WEDC community outreach and networking
• Tap into regional sectoral expertise
• Focus on project activity
• Become financially self-sustaining

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Positive Environmental Forces

• fDi Award Top Small City for Investment
• Emerging Green technologies
• Positive investor-immigration trends
• Increased defence spending
• Automotive re-tooling requiring new investment
• Logistics costs will favour regional investment
• Realignment of skill-to-wage expectation
• Satellite Medical School
• Caesars Windsor expansion - 440 million
• New Engineering School - 110 million

6
Business Environment Challenges

• Pressures against freer trade
• Homeland security logistics issues
• Economic trend to medium and smaller enterprises
• Structural shift in automotive manufacturing
• Impact of globalization on manufacturing
• Financial turmoil dollar parity
• Rising energy costs
• Perception of militant, highly unionized labour

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Strategic Objectives

• Develop WEDC as a well-resourced, agile, flexible
  and proactive organization
• Initiate strategic partnerships and networks
• Target and capitalize on growth sectors
• Identify and promote emerging markets to existing
  economic base
• Expand investor outreach (Europe and Asia)

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Strategic Objectives

• Target high-value, high-margin manufacturing
  growth sector
• Advance innovation and commercialization
• Embrace regional advocacy leadership role
• Target agri-business opportunities and research
• Enhance communication and competitive positioning
  of the region

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Key Industry Growth Sectors

• Priority Focus
• Manufacturing
• Energy Power Technology
• Agri-Business
• Life Sciences
• Professional Services/Back-Office Operations
• Education

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Key Industry Growth Sectors

• Additional Focus
• Logistic/Warehousing
• Public Administration
• Construction
• Retail
• Tourism

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Strategic Projects

• MTDM Diversification
• Reverse Trade Mission
• Trade Shows Expos
• Trade Missions
• NAIAS Outreach
• fDi Expo

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Strategic Projects

• Virtual Incubator
• Softech Alliance
• RD Capabilities Study
• Wind Energy Coalition
• Diagnostic Imaging Research Institute

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Small Business Enterprise Centre

• Provide information
• Provide consultation
• Resources / workshops
• Networking opportunities
• City and County offices
• Youth entrepreneurship

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Final Observations

• Structural economic changes require an effective
  WEDC strategy and organization
• New focus on strategic priority projects
• Communicate success
• Sector committees
• Project focused and self-sustaining
• Leverage partnerships and networks
• Enhance management systems support
• Feasible 12-18 month planning horizon