WEEDC Sector Committees
Agri-Business
The Agri-Business Sector Committee concentrates its activities on local food producers, food processors, and related businesses, in efforts to support, promote and enhance regional agri-businesses and facilitate lucrative cooperation with other local economic sectors.
| Agri-Business Members |
| Joseph Bryne (Sector Chair) | Hickey Byrne, Barristers |
| Carolyn Fuerth | Ewe Dell Family Farm |
| Dr. Al Hamill | Retired Researcher |
| Lina Williams | WEEDC |
| Cory Versnel | Essex County Associated Growers (ECAG) |
| Lana Drouillard | WEEDC |
| Izabela Muzzin | County Connect |
| Laura Bolger | Former Economic Development Analyst |
Accomplishments
- Partnered with the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association to secure an Ontario Market Investment Fund grant from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to focus its short term activity on developing a marketing campaign to promote local food to potential buyers.
- Launched a marketing campaign called "Look for Local. It's Worth It." and a website (www.welookforlocal.ca) to provide information about why and how to think locally, and where to buy locally.
Manufacturing
In Windsor-Essex approximately 93 per cent of manufacturing employment is directly tied to the automotive industry. This includes the Machine Tool, Die and Mould cluster for which Windsor-Essex has the highest concentration in Canada. The group meets on a quarterly basis to discuss ideas, further initiatives and assist the local manufacturing sector in practical, hands-on ways. The group also provides advisory support to the WEEDC for matters pertaining to manufacturing.
| Manufacturing Members |
| Bob Little (Sector chair) |
Altair Engineering |
| Roy M. Verstraete | Anchor Danly |
| Steve Mastroianni | Valiant Corp |
| Dan Moynahan | Platinum Tool Technologies |
| Steve Livneh | Bovie Canada |
| Tracy Pringle | WEEDC |
| Ranjana Bird | University of Windsor |
| Shelley Fellows | Radix Controls Inc. |
| Omer Hageniers | MSCI |
| Gerry Nagle | Northstar Aerospace |
| Jimi Tjong | Ford Canada |
| Eric Farron | Electromac Tool |
Accomplishments
- Successful Lean Consortium underway with 8 regional manufacturers with room for more to join
- Promoted and hosted ITAR seminar for area manufacturers to discuss engagement in US Defense and Military markets
- Involved in Reverse Trade Mission held in conjunction with Canadian Association of Moldmakers in November 2008 sponsoring 33 incoming buyers from 6 countries resulting in 55 one-on-one meetings for procurement with local manufacturing companies
Tourism and Hospitality
This sector is being developed as a new regional tourism initiative and undertakes to enhance the tourist economy of the Windsor-Essex area.
|
