MBiz

12 SPRING 2019 "We resurrected the rail line from The Pas to Churchill, and we own and operate the Port of Churchill, Canada's only Arctic seaport serviced by rail. We're strategically located on the west coast of Hudson Bay, and the Arctic Gateway is the front door to Western Canada, linking Canadian trade in resources to the global marketplace." According to delegate Mick Lautt, CEO, SciMar Ltd. and Executive Director of the Wellness Transformation Network, the tour was two days well-spent. "I really appreciated the diversity of site visits and the level of engagement from local stakeholders and leaders. We were warmly welcomed and graciously hosted, and our time was efficiently organized to provide good exposure and value," says Lautt. "I was able to initiate a surprising breadth of business relationships with the northern folks we met and networking with the southern crew was productive and a lot of fun. Personally, I made more valuable connections than I had expected and learned more about the communities than I had hoped. As a bonus, the location was beautiful and the food excellent." Adam Nepon, Partner, Realcare Inc., Indigenous Services, says he will definitely apply to participate in future tours. "The Economic Development Tours are one of the most efficient ways for businesses just starting to explore opportunities in northern Manitoba markets. Like most tight-knit communities, reputation and who you know is everything. Delegates are personally introduced to key decision-makers which could potentially take weeks, months, or years to reach without the proper information and contacts," says Nepon. "The tour also provides an opportunity for companies looking to start their paths to Reconciliation. Our great province has unique demographics, and one in five Manitobans will identify as Indigenous by the end of 2020. That's 20 per cent of our population, and in turn, 20 per cent of our economic capacity." Davidson, originally from Snow Lake, co-chaired the Look North Initiative and was recently appointed to the board of the Community Economic Development Fund. "These tours are so important to our selected host communities," says Davidson. "They are pleased to be able to spotlight what's happening there, and to connect with leaders from throughout Manitoba. Thank you to all our gracious hosts in The Pas/OCN! Next up – Churchill on July 3 and 4!" ■ SPECIAL THANKS TO MCC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA,WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, COMMUNITY FUTURES MANITOBA, PROVINCE OF MANITOBA, LOOK NORTH, BDC, AND CALM AIR. 63 - 4th Ave NE, Altona Ph: 204-324-6836 The Ice Cream Hut OPEN 11 am - 10 pm Daily Noon - 10 pm Sundays Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Soft & Hard Ice-cream, Daily meal specials ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOURS Top left: Delegate Mick Lautt (CEO of SciMar Ltd.); Travel Manitoba President & CEO Colin Ferguson (above right) with Northern Manitoba Tourism Awards winners. Bottom left: delegate Adam Nepon (Partner, Realcare Inc., Indigenous Services). Opposite page, clockwise from top left: University College of the North (UCN) Nursing lab and Indigenous Room; Calm Air aircraft; Paskwayak Business Development Corp. CEO Ginger Martin (standing); the Sam Waller Museum.

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