Economic Development Regina

Today, Tourism Regina and the Regina Airport Authority - YQR officially unveiled their new interactive visitor Kiosk. Bringing in over half a billion annually in economic impact, the importance of our tourism industry goes without saying. Now, with this new kiosk comes the ability to showcase that much more all that Regina has to offer to visitors and residents alike. Congratulations to the Regina Airport Authority - YQR, Tourism Regina, and the City of Regina on this great addition. And a special mention Tourism Saskatchewan and all who have helped in supporting this project.

The labour force numbers are out and showing Regina's unemployment rate has edged down from 7.2 to 6.9%, as more than 1500 people have been employed this last month. While this month shows a decrease in our unemployment rate, in the last year our unemployment rate has had an overall increase of 2% – yet employment has also risen by nearly 10,000. From a growing labour force to booming local businesses there are multiple factors that can explain this paradox, and how an increasing unemployment rate can actually indicate a healthy growing economy. For a deeper explanation into Regina's current employment-unemployment paradox, click the link to our latest economic brief. https://lnkd.in/gdhCcgji

Our June Economic Brief is now out and takes a deeper dive into the employment-unemployment paradox that occurs when both rates rise simultaneously. Over the past year, Regina's economy has been strong, creating many new jobs in logistics, manufacturing, and finance. While employment in Regina rose from 145,000 in May 2023 to 152,000 a year later, the unemployment rate also increased from 4.6% to 7%. While a simultaneous rise in both numbers seems counterintuitive, it is the result of a combination of a growing labor force, high interest rates, booming local businesses, and inflationary pressures. For other key numbers and a full look into this month's economic brief, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gdhCcgji

We're pleased to officially announce MLT Aikins LLP as a Horizon Partner in the Grow Regina Partnership. Inviting leaders and visionaries in our city to become active partners in the next phase of our city’s growth. The Grow Regina Partnership provides partners with the opportunity to shape the future of our city while leveraging key economic insights and EDR’s investment connections for their own business growth. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/g9z-PVpe GrowYourWorldRegina

We are pleased to officially welcome our Manager of Executive Support and Corporate Governance, Caitie Zorn to the EDR team. As Manager, Corporate Governance & Executive Support, Caitie’s role is a vital piece in our organization as a non-profit municipal corporation. In the Executive Support role, Caitie has the pleasure of supporting the CEO in his effort to turn EDR into a data, analytics and investment attraction powerhouse. On the Corporate Governance side, Caitie helps to support and manage the policies and procedures set in place to bridge EDR and its stakeholders. Caitie grew up in Regina and is heavily involved in volunteering for local organizations including various basketball and youth sport organizations. She has been involved in the basketball community for over a decade and at times coaches upwards of 3-5 youth teams. Caitie also has a passion for interior design and in her spare time you can find her admiring the latest show homes or taking an opportunity to help friends and family with their interior design needs. Although, in the summer you’ll most likely find Caitie at the lake around a campfire, watching a hockey game, or on the water either in a floaty or a boat. Welcome to the team, Caitie!

As we look back at Canada's Farm Show, it goes without saying the significant role agriculture plays in our economy. A key contributor to our finance and insurance sector, contributing to a manufacturing sector worth 3.2 billion, and not to mention the increasingly large role it plays in our energy sector through the emerging renewable industry. Agriculture isn't just it's own key sector but an essential sector to all the rest. Employing 2,700 workers, home to 256 firms, and contributing 336 million to our GDP, our economy is built on agriculture – and now creating significant opportunity for the GRA as we transition to Agribusiness. Surrounded by 80 million acres of Canada's farmland, Regina has become a major hub for agriculture production and innovation. With major investments on the horizon such as the integrated biofuel complexes by Federated Co-operatives Limited and AGT Food and Ingredients Inc., and home to the major institutions such as FCC / FAC. Regina is well positioned to spearhead Canada's agribusiness transformation. For a deeper look into it all, click the link to our recent state of the GRA economy report. https://lnkd.in/g3q82vHm

"Our economy runs on the rails. Canada’s rail system carries $380 billion worth of goods every year. With $49.3 billion of that coming out of Saskatchewan, it’s fair to say our province has an outsized reliance on a fully functioning, efficient rail system" - EDR CEO, Chris Lane As a major centre for value-added agriculture, manufacturing, and an emerging biomass hub, prolonged rail service disruption could have a significant impact on our city. More directly impacted though, would be the 4,100 people working in Regina’s transportation and logistics sector, which is responsible for $1.3 billion in sales annually. To read more around the potential labour disruption in Canada's rail service, read our full article with the Regina Leader-Post below. https://lnkd.in/gTDBRf6K

As a proud partner of the AGTECH ACCELERATOR, this week we were thrilled to watch our Cohort 3 founders officially take the #CFS stage and pitch their innovative companies to an audience of investors. Over the last 3 years we've watched not only this program grow but the success of the companies who have come through it. There is a reason the AGTECH ACCELERATOR lives here, and it is because of all the competitive advantages Regina has to offer. Attracting companies across Canada and internationally, Regina offers unparalleled access to industry leaders, producers and investors. If you are an agtech company, you need to be here – at the heartbeat of the new prairie economy. Cultivator powered by Conexus

Today we honour and celebrate the remarkable contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples. As we join our community in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day today, we recognize that we are home to a vibrant, talented, and growing Indigenous population – one which our economic growth depends. Today and everyday we remain committed to strengthening our relationships with our Indigenous partners and communities, creating space for increased economic opportunities for current and future Indigenous generations and moving further down the path towards economic reconciliation. A major thank you to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Network (EDIN), along with the City of Regina for putting together an amazing event today. Not to mention the incredible performances, speakers, vendors, and all who made today so special.

“An inch of the right kind of rain, coming at the right time, delivers $1 billion in increased yield potential to southern Saskatchewan farmers. That’s something we can all get our head around.” - EDR CEO, Chris Lane ICD.D For generations, Saskatchewan farmers have used the phrase “million-dollar rain” to describe the impact of a good soak – like the one much of Saskatchewan experienced through the month of June. It turns out their number is a bit low. Through the work of Crop Intelligence's modelling, we've calculated the "million-dollar rain" to actually be worth a staggering $1 billion. To read more, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gRfWBJiu Kristjan Hebert Crop Intelligence