Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Development corp. unveils plans to attract jobs

Dave Battagello, The Windsor Star
Published: Tuesday, September 02, 2008

There have been few new jobs created and little new investment during the 18 months it's been operating, but officials from the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation vowed Tuesday it can generate success stories for the region.

"When we took over about a year and half ago, it was a blank sheet in terms of new investment," Michael Burton, vice-president of the corporation, told city council on Tuesday. "We have about 20 specific clients we are looking at for new investment."

He cited potential investment opportunities in such areas as recycling, wind power technology and information technology.

"But I have no companies I can announce tonight in a more positive way," Burton said. "We have a lot of things in the works. We are still slugging away at them. We will be the first to announce the success and highlight it prominently."

The organization's new strategic plan was unveiled Tuesday. It is a blueprint to bring new investment and jobs to Windsor, currently suffering high unemployment because of the decline in manufacturing.

Disarray has so far slowed the development corporation's progress, with last year's hiring and firing 14 months later of CEO Matthew Fischer. A hunt has began for his replacement. More here.

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