Windsor-Essex Celebrates Economic Development Week 2026
Invest WindsorEssex unites regional partners to showcase local businesses, collaboration and economic impact
Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), in collaboration with the Town of Amherstburg, Town of Essex, Town of Kingsville, Municipality of Lakeshore, Town of LaSalle, Municipality of Leamington, Town of Tecumseh, Township of Pelee and the City of Windsor are proud to recognize Economic Development Week (EDW) 2026 taking place May 4 to 8.
Throughout the week, economic development professionals from across Windsor-Essex will visit and
engage with local businesses to celebrate their contributions to the region’s economy and highlight the
programs and services that support business growth, job creation and community prosperity.
Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Economic Development
Week is an international initiative designed to raise awareness of the critical role economic development plays in building strong, vibrant communities. The campaign highlights local efforts that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve quality of life.
“Economic Development Week is an opportunity to recognize the people, businesses, partnerships, and significant investments that are driving growth today while positioning our region for decades to come. That success is built on strong collaboration between municipalities, organizations, and the business community. As we continue focusing on Windsor’s long game in the face of global economicun certainties, our region continues to see transformative investment and opportunity. Through local initiatives like Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, Strengthen the Core, and the strategic development of Sandwich South, we are further laying the foundation for sustained and responsible growth. What we’re seeing across Windsor-Essex is the result of deliberate collaboration between municipalities, industry, education, upper levels of government, and a highly skilled workforce. From advanced manufacturing and automobility, to small business growth and entrepreneurship, by working together, investing responsibly, and standing in lockstep to navigate the challenges and leverage every opportunity in front of us, we are creating and sustaining the conditions for long-term prosperity and a high quality of life for our residents. As we celebrate this week, we recognize the leadership and the strength of our region-wide approach to economic development, which continues to position Windsor-Essex as one of the most dynamic and resilient economic communities in the country.” – Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor
This year’s regional campaign will focus on showcasing businesses across Windsor-Essex, highlighting success stories and demonstrating the impact of a collaborative, region-wide approach to economic development. Through coordinated outreach, partners will promote available resources, celebrate local achievements and reinforce Windsor-Essex as a competitive and growing place to do business.
A social media campaign will accompany these efforts, featuring local businesses, economic development partners, municipal initiatives and programs that support entrepreneurs, investors and employers across the region.
“Invest WindsorEssex is proud to work alongside our municipal partners to deliver a coordinated, region-wide approach to economic development. Economic Development Week is about celebrating the successes of our local businesses and showcasing the impact and strength of our partnerships. Together, we are building a resilient and competitive economy for Windsor-Essex.” – Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer, Invest WindsorEssex
Invest WindsorEssex is the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region. The focus
of the organization is to develop and execute strategies to retain, expand, attract and help new businesses start-up in Windsor-Essex. Invest WindsorEssex is led by a board of distinguished community leaders. A team of professional staff will assist you with all your location and investment decisions by working one-on-one with businesses, to facilitate the process of starting, growing or locating in Windsor-Essex.
Economic Development Week is an event created by the International Economic Development Council
(IEDC) to celebrate economic development among communities around the world. The event will occur
from May 4-8, 2026.
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization
serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its
kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by
creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax
base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IDCs members are engaged in the
full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our
members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal
governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other
institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the
quality of life in their regions.
