Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1518745
C entrePort Canada continues to steer towards a bright future as a transportation hub for Manitoba and beyond. The trimodal inland port, located in Winnipeg and Rosser, spans an expansive 20,000 acres. "This is just a little larger than Manhat- tan. It's the largest trimodal of its kind in North America," says Carly Edmund- son, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada. "It was created about 15 years ago to capitalize on Manitoba's strategic advantages, including its central location in North America, right at the intersec- tion of the trade gateways and corridors. We also have a strong transportation manufacturing and logistics sector in the province." CentrePort Canada brings together three modes of transportation: road, rail and air. For the road component, the four-lane CentrePort-Canada Way expressway goes right through the middle of the project and connects to the rest of Manitoba's highway network. The transportation hub also includes two Class 1 railways on its footprint — CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) and CN — and BNSF Railway can also access the area through federal interswitching rules. In addition, the CentrePort Canada Rail Park project broke ground last year. B.C.-based developer Focus Equities is bringing the project to market, which will provide companies with direct rail access when they build their facilities at CentrePort Canada. Last but not least, CentrePort Canada provides easy access to air transportation through the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. At the same time, companies can access air cargo options to reach North American or global markets. "The close proximity of all of those modes of transportation in one project — CentrePort — is one of the key advan- tages and benefits for companies that locate on site," says Edmundson, adding that companies have built more than 2.3 million square feet of industrial space at CentrePort since it launched. "The full development of CentrePort will result in just shy of an $8-billion boost to Manitoba's GDP. I think we are really well positioned to increase Manitoba's profile on a global stage with CentrePort drives forward as transportation hub By Jennifer McFee Carly Edmundson, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada. (Submitted Photos) 8 THE ASSINIBOIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • SPRING 2024 A S S I N I B O I A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E