The City of Selkirk’s Sustainable Economic Development department is working to spur business development in the city with its newly created Investment Profile. The profile pulls together, in one neat package, all the information investors or developers would need when considering the city for their next project.
The Investment Profile is a succinct document that puts critical information – from Selkirk’s role as a service hub for some 75,000 people to its location 20 km from Winnipeg where goods are transported around the world – at an entrepreneur’s or investor’s fingertips.
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said he and council take the city’s role as the hub of the Interlake and Eastman regions seriously and know that people are looking to Selkirk as the place to be. The mayor said it’s important for the city to be prepared for potential investors and those who already do business in the city.
Another Tool in the Belt
“The Investment Profile is just another tool in our tool belt and we’re going to use it,” Mayor Johannson said. “It’s going to be a tremendous help to a lot of entities. Of course, our Sustainable Economic Development department is going to be able to use it to help investors and it’ll help developers looking to our community as well. Whether its newcomers or locals who are wanting to invest in Selkirk, the Investment Profile will be of assistance to them. We’re proud of the work that’s gone into this document, we’re proud of our administration, who were diligent in their work on this and took the lead to make sure it came out right, and it did.”
The Investment Profile compiles all the information needed when putting together a business plan, whether it’s attracting investors or taking an idea to a financial institution. Faisal Anwar, Director of Sustainable Economic Development, said the city has been successful in attracting businesses to Selkirk. Examples of increased investment in Selkirk are everywhere, from new apartments and condos springing up across the city, to a new hotel and business park along with a revitalized downtown. Anwar said the city is willing to work with partners who want to add to the bustling commercial district that’s evolved in recent years, and adds that the Investment Profile will improve those relationships.
“Our Investment Profile is a marketing tool that will be used to attract businesses and investment to our community,” Anwar said. “It provides the economic indicators that site selectors and others are looking for. It shows people there’s an opportunity to do business in Selkirk. The information in the profile is the kind of information that investors would be looking for. We’re putting it in one place for them so they don’t have to go to several sources to find it. Everything is in the Investment Profile.”
Building A Strong Economy
Selkirk’s Strategic Plan calls for the city to build a strong and stable local economy by taking firmer control of our economic destiny, and the Investment Profile is designed to help realize this goal. The Strategic Plan also calls for the city to revitalize the city’s image, build on Selkirk’s status as a regional service centre, provide clear intentions for future development and make continued improvements in efficiency and convenience. The Investment Profile aligns with all of those targets.
Coun. Ken Beerman, who chairs the city’s Sustainable Economic Development committee, said those with investment dollars are already looking at Selkirk as a smart place to put their money and creating the Investment Profile is the logical next step.
“We already have people who want to do business here. There’s activity here, which was ramped up when we created the Sustainable Economic Development department several years ago,” Beerman said. “It only makes sense to continue that process, whereby the city works with potential investors. We’re letting everyone know the success that’s available here in our city, and the Investment Profile puts it in front of them in black and white and they can see why Selkirk is the right choice.”
Local Stories of Success
Besides putting the pertinent details about the city in front of potential investors, the Investment Profile also details five Selkirk success stories: Gerdau MRM Steel, Shindico, Easton Place, Dynamic Investments Ltd., and Steelcity Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre.
All five tell their story of why they chose Selkirk, or in the case of the rolling mills, which have been here for more than 100 years, why they’ve stayed so long. Steel mill representatives point to Selkirk’s close proximity to Winnipeg where goods can easily be distributed globally. Company officials at Shindico note that the City of Selkirk has a growing population and a ‘can-do attitude’ that developers appreciate.
Locally owned Dynamic Investments Ltd., a developer of high quality, multi-family housing, has invested more than $28 million in Selkirk and has plans for more. Owner Dale Place said he believes in Selkirk and he wants to see it grow.
“As a local company, Dynamic has a long-term outlook for the area that will support jobs and the local economy for years to come,” he said.
Open for Business
Selkirk CAO Duane Nicol said investors now know that the city is open for business and the Investment Profile is another indicator of that.
“This is a key and important part of attracting new businesses or attracting local entrepreneurs to build or expand a business in Selkirk. This document is a fulfillment of our Strategic Plan and it’s a core part of our Sustainable Economic Development Plan,” Nicol said, noting the profile will evolve with the city. “As our world changes, our environment changes, as things are improving here we’re making sure we’re telling all the great stories in this document.”
The Investment Profile is now available on MySelkirk.ca. Click here to view. Hard copies will be available in the New Year. The plan will be updated as the city grows. Next up is a Community Profile that will be more focused on the social development of the city.
