City of Windsor Wins EDCO Award of Excellence for Business Attraction and Retention
The City of Windsor has been awarded the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Award of Excellence in the Business Attraction & Retention – Urban category at the EDCO President’s Dinner during the 2026 Annual EDCO Conference.
The EDCO Awards of Excellence celebrate the most impactful and innovative economic development initiatives across Ontario. Windsor’s win recognizes the City’s leadership, collaboration, and execution in delivering one of the province’s most significant advanced manufacturing investments: Minth Group’s $300 million electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing campus, which is bringing 1,099 new jobs to the community.
“This prestigious award reflects what is possible when strong leadership, trusted partnerships, and a shared vision come together. I am proud of our City team, Council, Invest WindsorEssex, the Province of Ontario, and Minth Group for working collaboratively to deliver a project that strengthens Windsor’s economy and positions our community for long-term growth and development. We are Investing Responsibly and focusing on the long game as we continue to strengthen our future. This recognition reinforces that Windsor is open for business and ready to compete on the global stage.” – Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
This award highlights Windsor’s successful 18-month, all-hands “Team Windsor” approach, which brought together City departments, Invest WindsorEssex, Invest Ontario, the Province of Ontario, and industry partners to provide a seamless, one-window investment experience that positioned Windsor as Minth’s choice for its first Canadian manufacturing operation.
Project Highlights and Outcomes:
- Development of a one-million-square-foot EV-focused manufacturing campus
- Activation and transformation of 54 acres of airport lands for advanced industrial use
- Announcement of a second facility through a joint venture with AISIN Corporation
- Strengthening Windsor’s position as a national leader in energy and advanced manufacturing
- Acceleration of regional supply chain growth tied to Ontario’s energy ecosystem
Guided by the strategic direction of the Mayor and Council, this project is an example of Windsor’s foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy and demonstrates how coordinated leadership, speed of delivery, and strong partnerships can produce transformative economic outcomes.
