windsor


				Windsor-Essex is one of Canada's hottest markets. Strategically located in Southwestern Ontario one mile across from Detroit, Michigan, it is the location you should put at the top of your site selection list. Economic Highlights Windsor ranked number one in growth among Canada's 25 largest cities, experiencing $7 billion in capital spending in the last 8 years and 563 million in commercial development during the previous 5 years. Job growth projected at 2% annually. CMA population to increase to 314,658 from 282,500. DRI / Standard and Poor's Canada (Dec. 97) Ontario is Michigan's largest trading partner: Windsor-Essex County, with GDP of $30 billion, is the Gateway for 40% of Canada U.S. trade. Ontario's average annual GDP per capita - $28,707.00, Windsor- Essex County annual GDP per capita $74,285.00. Windsor-Essex County annual GDP of $30 billion is equal to the province of Manitoba, larger than the province of Saskatchewan and any of the Maritime provinces. Gaming Gaming, the area's newest industry directly employs 5,100 plus an equal number in spin-off opportunities. Casino Windsor enjoys the highest rate of revenue per square foot, of any casino in the world. Leasing At $6.00 to $18.00 per sq. ft. for office space, Windsor-Essex is ranked among the lowest cost areas within the Canadian marketplace. Three factors make the Windsor-Essex region a key site location. First, competitive real estate costs and lease rates, second, the selection of key building sites, primary office space and affordable, quality buildings and third, convenient, quick access to major residential areas, business districts and industrial zones. "Big Box" retailers 'discovered' the area's real estate values in 1996 and have played a significant role in the $563 million in commercial developments between 1996 and 2001. Encouraged by our growth and momentum, opportunities throughout the Windsor-Essex region continue to attract major planners to a diverse and dynamic economy. Lifestyles Windsor-Essex County is Canada's southernmost region, on the same latitude as Northern California, 7 months of shirt sleeve weather, 105 miles of waterfront, 1,400 acres of city parkland, 2,500 acres of conservation parks and wildlife preserves. Manufacturing New manufacturing space was 1.4 million sq. ft. in 1999. Capital and repair expenditures were estimated at $1.1 billion for 1999 in Windsor-Essex County, bringing the decade total to $10 billion. Building Permits - $500 million plus. Southwestern Ontario and Southeastern Michigan encompass the manufacturing heartland of Ontario. Over $400 million in goods are moved through our border daily. Retail Sales Retail sales throughout Windsor-Essex region are estimated at $2.5 billion for 2001- 33% above the national average. Developers, investors and national chains now recognize the value of our unique location and the growing retail opportunities for products ranging from 'Big Box' warehouses and traditional shopping malls to supermarkets and specialty shops. Major retailers like Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, Zehrs and Sobeys are expanding existing locations and/or launching new stores as municipalities expand and spread out across the region. Smart retailers are finally getting in on the U.S. action. Nine million American tourists visit here annually and their passion for value shopping couldn't be better fulfilled, than by consistently having more buying power in Canada with their U.S. dollar. Tourism Visitors to the city are now more than 9 million annually, spending on average over $100 each. 4.5 million Americans are within a one hour drive, 11 million within 2 hours, and 25 million within 6 hours. The local tourism industry accounts for more than 1 billion in economic activity on a yearly basis. Wages Ontario wages range $1.22 - $5.33 lower than in competing U.S. jurisdictions. Corporate taxes on manufacturing are lower than the US average and Ontario's provincial tax rate was reduced to the lowest in Canada in 1999.