CEO of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, Stephen MacKenzie, attends the regular meeting of council for the Town of Essex on November 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)CEO of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, Stephen MacKenzie, attends the regular meeting of council for the Town of Essex on November 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Windsor

New WEEDC Head Tries To Ease County Concerns

The new CEO of the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation is reaffirming the group's commitment to a regional approach as he continues his first talks with local municipalities.

Stephen MacKenzie is trying to put to rest any concerns in the county of a city-bias at WEEDC.

"I believe in regionalism," says MacKenzie. "It is the sweet spot for economic development, the scale for business attraction, the way that we can marshal resources from federal and provincial sources for small business."

MacKenzie was in Essex on Monday and was presented with the lingering concern by town councillor Steve Bjorkman.

The councillor is happy to hear the new economic development leader is committed to a regional approach.

"We like to use the phrase, 'A rising tide floats all boats,'" says Bjorkman. "So, what's good for Windsor really is good for the county and what's good for the county is good for Windsor."

Since starting with WEEDC on August 29, MacKenzie has seen a co-operative culture in Windsor-Essex although admitted there has been "a long history of an interesting relationship" between the city and county.

"Certainly, in my research and due diligence when I was a candidate for the position, it did come up that in the past there might be some tension between county and city," says MacKenzie.

Despite the tension, MacKenzie says Windsor-Essex has stronger case for tangible economic co-operation than many other agencies across North America promoting themselves as regional bodies.

"Are you talking the talk or walking the walk? What I'm really pleased about here is people genuinely working together," says MacKenzie.

Leamington Mayor John Paterson has repeatedly questioned the value the County of Essex and his town receive in helping to fund WEEDC, with the town moving to hire its own economic development officer. The Town of Essex has also followed suit with its own newly appointed EDO.

MacKenzie says having multiple layers of economic development offices can work.

"If it's done properly, it's definitely a compliment and not a competitive situation or a duplication," says MacKenzie. "It's always the region [prospective businesses] look at, it's the regional data, the regional asset map."

MacKenzie still has to speak with officials on Pelee Island, but has spoken with every other municipality in Windsor-Essex.

Read More Local Stories