The Portage la Prairie Advantage

The Mission of the Council of the City of Portage la Prairie is to facilitate or provide quality services to enable the community to enhance its’ living environment through an accountable, accessible and equitable process of civic government”.

Portage la Prairie has a tremendous amount to offer including:

Location

Portage la Prairie is the fourth largest city in Southern Manitoba.  It is a major service centre for the Central Plains region of Manitoba containing regional government offices, retail and distribution services.

Within the central time zone, Portage la Prairie has unparalleled access by rail, road and air to all markets across the Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Portage la Prairie is located almost equidistant between the province's two major centres (Winnipeg and Brandon).  Portage la Prairie is central to 80% of Manitoba's total population.

Tax Structure

The City of Portage la Prairie over the last ten years has significantly decreased the mill rate used in collecting property taxes for municipal purposes. The tax rate has decreased by 6.6% - from $31.427 per $1,000 of portioned assessment in 1997 to $29.343 in 2007. During this same time inflation increased by 24%. For more information on the Tax Structure click here.

The City of Portage la Prairie eliminated municipal business taxes in 1993.

Infrastructure

The City of Portage la Prairie has adopted a progressive and proactive approach to ensure treated water quality meets current and proposed Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.  To this end, the City commissioned a study to assess the existing Water Treatment Plant and to plan upgrades over the next decade.

The Water Pollution Control Facility is the third largest wastewater treatment system in the province of Manitoba.   This facility is a state of the art facility located at the southend of the City.  The plant features extensive upgrades that were completed in 1998, including one of only 3 ultraviolet disinfection systems currently operating in the province of Manitoba. Handles 15 million litres of wastewater per day on a sustained basis.  The Industrial waste added to the system means that the facility treats wastewater equivalent to a city of 40,000 people.

Free Industrial Land

In January of 1998 City Council approved the McMillan Industrial Park Land Development Program.  The purpose of the program is to  offer existing land within the McMillan Industrial Park at no cost for the purpose of new building construction and the creation of new jobs. Click here for more information on the Land Development Program

McMillan Industrial Park has become home to several companies, many of international significance.  Besides companies like McCain Foods, Nutri-Pea, and Pure Fishing, the park also houses the Food Development Centre.

More Portage la Prairie Advantages

• No business tax

• An abundance of trained and available labour

• We are the fourth largest city in Southern Manitoba.  We also act as a major service centre for the Central Plains region of Manitoba containing regional government offices, retail and distribution services and are central to 80% of Manitoba's total population.

• Portage la Prairie has unparalleled business-hour access to all markets across the Canada, the U.S. and Mexico by the:

  • Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways

  • Trans-Canada #1 and Yellowhead Highway #16 Routes

  • A public airport located at Southport Aerospace Centre is only minutes away as well as the Winnipeg International Airport less than 1 hour away.

• Traditionally a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area, Portage la Prairie has developed a strong and diverse economy of its own.

• Dominant Industries include:  McCain Foods, Simplot Canada, Can Oat Milling, Allied Wings, Food Development Centre, Nutri-Pea, Province of Manitoba and Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. 

• We have ample Commercial Property ready for development.

• Portage la Prairie offers an excellent range of services including 3 shopping malls, a vibrant downtown, excellent health care, educational and recreational facilities as well as a wide range of social and cultural opportunities.

• Some of the most productive farmland in Canada capable of producing exceptional yields vegetables and grains.

• A truly “open for business” attitude with the City willing and able to assist in facilitating development and thinking outside the box to allow development to occur.

• Competitive energy costs provided by Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas.

• High Speed Internet is provided by Shaw Cable and MTS Communications.

• Free Saturday Parking

• A vibrant community that has all of the amenities of a larger centre without the hustle and bustle. We are “Proud of Our Past, Building Our Future”

• Portage la Prairie has an above average share of manufacturing and production activity characterized by low absentee rates, low levels of turnover and prevailing wage rates lower than Provincial averages. (SOURCE: Human Resource Development Canada)