Windsor – Essex County Regional Economic Development Strategy TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary............................................................................................................ 1 Purpose................................................................................................................................3 Background......................................................................................................................... 4 Case For Change............................................................................................................. 4 Information Sessions....................................................................................................... 5 CAO Task Force ............................................................................................................. 6 Methodology....................................................................................................................... 9 Economic Overview.......................................................................................................... 11 Global Economy ........................................................................................................... 11 Windsor & Essex County.............................................................................................. 13 The Strategy...................................................................................................................... 19 Existing Businesses & Industries.................................................................................. 22 Assessment Of The Basic Sectors............................................................................. 24 Strengths & Opportunities .....................................................................................24 Manufacturing................................................................................................... 25 Tourism/Gaming............................................................................................... 27 Agri-Business.................................................................................................... 28 Weaknesses & Threats...........................................................................................30 Manufacturing................................................................................................... 30 Tourism/Gaming............................................................................................... 35 Agri-Business.................................................................................................... 37 Economic Base Analysis........................................................................................38 Key Issues ................................................................................................................. 40 Attract New Investment ................................................................................................ 43 Inventory Of Services & Infrastructure .................................................................... 44 Needs Of Consumers & Investors............................................................................. 48 Image......................................................................................................................... 49 Target Markets.......................................................................................................... 52 Key Issues ................................................................................................................. 53 New Start-Up Opportunities ......................................................................................... 57 Entrepreneurialism & Small Business ...................................................................... 61 Key Issues ................................................................................................................. 64 A Regional Approach ....................................................................................................... 67 Regional & Local Roles............................................................................................ 79 Key Issues ................................................................................................................. 84 Structure............................................................................................................................ 85 The Organization .......................................................................................................... 85 Governance ................................................................................................................... 88 Mandate Of The Organization ...................................................................................... 88 i Windsor – Essex County Regional Economic Development Strategy Services......................................................................................................................... 89 The Realities Of Economic Development .................................................................... 90 Funding ......................................................................................................................... 91 Metrics Of Success ....................................................................................................... 94 Benefits ......................................................................................................................... 96 Challenges..................................................................................................................... 97 Implementation ................................................................................................................. 98 Closing Statement ........................................................................................................... 100 ii Windsor – Essex County Regional Economic Development Strategy APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Regional Economic Development Strategy – Framework Document APPENDIX B: Regional Economic Development Strategy – Background Document APPENDIX C: List of References APPENDIX D: Economic Base Analysis (2000 – 2004) iii Windsor – Essex County Regional Economic Development Strategy TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1: Project Management Structure ........................................................................... 8 Figure 2: Map of the World ............................................................................................. 12 Figure 3: Map of North America ..................................................................................... 12 Figure 4: The NAFTA Corridor....................................................................................... 13 Figure 5: Windsor/Essex, Southeast Michigan & Northwest Ohio ................................. 14 Figure 6: Windsor & Essex County................................................................................. 15 Figure 7: 1997 Imports..................................................................................................... 16 Figure 8: 1997 Exports..................................................................................................... 16 Figure 9: Non-Stop International Flights from Detroit Metro Airport ............................ 17 Figure 10: Strategic Framework Matrix .......................................................................... 20 Figure 11: Strategic Framework Matrix – Assessment by the Strategic Advisory Group .... 21 Figure 12: Regions Economic Sectors (Windsor CMA – 2004) ..................................... 23 Figure 13: Major Employers (by number of employees)................................................. 24 Figure 14: Top 10 Manufacturing Employers ................................................................. 25 Figure 15: Motorcoach Tours .......................................................................................... 35 Figure 16: Year End Occupancies (%) ............................................................................ 36 Figure 17: Average Daily Rates....................................................................................... 36 Figure 18: Convention Marketing.................................................................................... 36 Figure 19: Economic Patterns – Detroit Economic Region............................................. 53 Figure 20: Southern Ontario Economic Regions............................................................. 67 Figure 21: U.S. Economic Regions.................................................................................. 68 Figure 22: European Economic Regions ......................................................................... 68 Figure 23: Workflow re: Windsor & Essex County ....................................................... 70 Figure 24: Workflow re: LaSalle & County Municipalities ........................................... 71 Figure 25: Workflow re: Tecumseh & County Municipalities....................................... 72 Figure 26: Workflow re: Lakeshore & County Municipalities....................................... 73 Figure 27: Workflow re: Amherstburg & County Municipalities .................................. 74 Figure 28: Workflow re: Essex & County Municipalities.............................................. 75 Figure 29: Workflow re: Kingsville & County Municipalities....................................... 76 Figure 30: Workflow re: Leamington & County Municipalities...................................