INTRODUCTION

Portage la Prairie and area is a progressive community with an area population of approximately 20,000 inhabitants.  Located in south central Manitoba on the picturesque Assiniboine River, Portage la Prairie is, and has always been an important transportation centre, dating back to its inception as a fur trading post.  Today it is connected to the rest of Canada via the Trans-Canada Highway and Yellowhead Highway, with service from both major railroads, a trans-continental bus service, and via air through Southport Aerospace.

Strategically situated in the centre of the continent astride major east-west transportation routes, (only forty-five minutes west of Winnipeg, one hour north of the international border, and one hour east of Brandon) Portage la Prairie is in an ideal position to accommodate additional industries. 

Residents of Portage la Prairie utilize the Assiniboine River as their water source.  A flood control dam provides an ideal reservoir which ensures more than adequate water supply for all the community's need. The quality of the treated water is extremely high and there is ample capacity for additional water production.  The distribution system provides a reliable system of conveying treated water to all the users. 

Agriculture and agri-food related processing and services, remains the major industrial focus of our area.  The affordable land prices, good drainage and excellent soil conditions have been conducive to the high agricultural output of our region.   The farming community of the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie produces many speciality crops such as carrots, onions, asparagus, parsnips, beans, rutabagas, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, potatoes, various grains and oil sees, strawberries, saskatoon berries, raspberries, and much, much more.  Much of the R.M. of Portage la Prairie is under irrigation, and additional acreage can be incorporated into the existing irrigation system.  The diverse agricultural production of the Portage la Prairie area has drawn many food processing plants to the city.  These include McCain Foods Ltd., Parrheim Foods, Can Oats Ltd., Best Cooking Pulses Ltd., and JR Simplot’s newest Canadian potato processing plant.

An ideal home for all new businesses, Portage la Prairie has approximately 550 acres designated for industrial and industrial reserve use city wide.  Some "infill" industrial development could occur in the Western and Railway Industrial areas.  Of the 550 acres of industrially designated land, the City has approximately 200 available acres which is principally located in the McMillan Industrial Park. 

The City has been very successful in its attempts to attract industry to date.  The most important attributes from a business opportunity standpoint are our central North American location, our diverse agricultural production capabilities, our wide array of food processing options, and our progressive business attitude and our ability to provide quality water and wastewater services.  It is also estimated that there are approximately 2,000 unemployed persons in the Portage la Prairie Region who are available for work.

Portage la Prairie residents are also extremely proud of their education system, health care services, multitude of recreational facilities, arts and culture opportunities, housing selection, service clubs, religious services and the range of media services.  Wildlife also abounds in the area as it is home to one of the nation's largest flocks of Canada Geese. 

Over the years, Business Development in the City of Portage la Prairie has grown with the expansion or relocation of the following businesses and industries:

• A Manitoba First!  The RM of Portage la Prairie and the City of Portage la Prairie signed a major tax sharing agreement for industrial and commercial development. The agreement will see the host municipality receiving 60% of the taxes on new industrial or commercial projects while the adjacent municipality will receive 40

• Announcement on April 26, 2002 that the Food Development Centre will undergo an $11 Million expansion.  The redeveloped facility will provide space for Great Plains Aseptic Processors, a new Manitoba company that will use Tetra Pak technology to operate a commercial liquid food processing and packaging facility for the province’s food industry.

• $120 Million J.R. Simplot Plant became operational in 2003

• New Businesses and expansions include Roomers Furniture Store, Prairie Rock Truck and RV Wash, Canad Inns, Co-op Gas Bar, Portage & District Arts Council, Canad Inn Purchase and Expansion and a new Community Hall.

• Worked with 3346200 Manitoba Ltd. with respect to assembling property with regard to major retail development in the West end of the City.