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What R numbers? How does Windsor compare?
(KEVIN)
Session 1F:
Benchmark Summary: Windsor Vs. Ten Peer Regions
11 Regions in Peer Group: Ann Arbour, MI; Canton, OH; Fort Wayne, In; Lansing, Mi, Peoria, Il; Reading, PA; Santa Barbara, CA; Spokane, WA; Tallahassee, FL; Victoria, BC; Windsor, ON.
Statistics Summary for Windsor, Ontario
Please follow the attached summary provided by Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
SLIDESHOW
Leader: Kevin Stolarick, Phd (Martin Prosperity Institute, University of Toronto)
Talent Pool
- The panel was surprised by the low Talent pool in our area; we believe that the Ciity of Windsor is not able to keep our students - once graduated in our community. Working on how we can keep students in our area is key to economic development.
- Comments were made on Philadelphia and how they incorporate the students into the area once they graduated; they focus on the 1st semester students.
- Business leaders meet/mentor with students that are following in the same field.
- Businesses take an invested interest in their students.
- The downtown core where the University/College is located was important to establishing the first impression for the students.
- These two elements has great influence/most impact on retaining students in the area.
Tolerance
- Windsor was high in Tolerance which a great asset for development; immigration generates openness, job opportunities.
- This factor also relates to the beginning of immigration having families establish their home at gateway areas. Immigrants will then follow their families.
Technology
- Technology was also a surprise, Windsor fell in the middle
- information provided indicated that St. Clair College dropped 2 courses in the Tech field because of the lack of enrolment.
- This indicated that Windsor is lackcing in Tech jobs in the area to sustain the educational aspect.
Interesting fact: Another factor mentioned by Kevin was that 50% of $ spent on car’s is on the entertainment/computer segment of the automobile.
Fact #2.
- St. Clair College has experienced the highest inrolment in its history. How can we keep these students here?
- St. Clair College is expanding downtown. What can the community do to create business opportunity's to facitilate in the Colleges growth?
- Inrolement is high in both Business and Nursing, what businesses can we create here to keep these students here?
Population Growth
- Population Growth was also surprising.
- Based on 2001 and 2006 census: the surprise was in Reading, PA. Reading has a large population growth, which is due to the fact that it is becoming the bedroom city for New York. Travel time, gas prices was a factor; another factor was the drive itself, visually the drive was appealing to commuters compared to other surrounding areas, having the same travelling distance.
Comments were made that Windsor can be the bedroom city for Toronto; actually the Guest House would be more appropriate!!!
WINDSOR CAN BE THE NEW TORONTO
Toronto is bursting at the seams. Housing, gas prices and cost of living is extremely high.
Windsor has all the dynamics similair to Toronto: border city, great agriculture base, surrounding cottage country (Essex county and Michigan), tolerance, education and future development opportunites.
- Building a Guest House for Toronto is an opportunity that Windsor needs to invest in. Having all the resources, with lower housing costs, should be an attractive incentive in recruiting people from the GTA.
- The Toronto Dominion Bank is building a new Headquarter in Downtown Windsor and the Casino has invested greatly in our area. Ask yourself Why? They obviously did their homework!
- Windsor has also been rated in the top 40 cities to do business in (above Toronto)
- Windsor has a large cultural base of artists, tolerance and generation x demographics that are interested in a greener environment and quality of life.
- Toronto has the Harbour Front. Windsor has the RIVERFRONT.
- The overall review is that a higher education base provides a greater opportunity for economical growth.
- Providing a greater range of education and R & D would greatly benefit the area.
- Establishing a brand for Windsor and having an effective recruiting strategy along with creative development that sets us apart from the rest will give us a greater advantage to developing our economy.
- We need to focus on what we HAVE - the POSTIVE. INSTEAD OF WECAN...LETS CHANGE IT TO WEARE...STOP TALKING...JUST DO IT!
Windsor needs to take an Entrepreneur/Innerpreneur role:
- Does Windsor have what it takes:
- creativity, motivation, dedication, innovation, sense of urgency, risk taking, self confidence
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