Manitoba Region: North Central

Working age population (15+): 36,000
Employed labour force: 23,600
Unemployment rate: 4.8%
Participation rate: 68.9%

Major construction and infrastructure activities in 2010/11:

The Food Development Centre in Portage La Prairie is being expanded with the support of the federal and provincial governments to provide additional resources to innovators engaged in food and ingredient development.  In 2009/10, the Food Development Centre has helped to develop 48 new food products and completed nutritional analysis for 351 products. (Key Source: Manitoba Budget 2011)

Sperling Industries announced plans to invest $10 million to build a new 35,000 square foot automated fabricated structural steel plant. (Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press)

The Government of Manitoba has announced the Flood 2011 Building and Recovery Action Plan, which will strengthen the ability of local communities to cope with future floods by expanding mitigation and flood control projects.  It will provide special assistance, such as the Hoop and Holler Compensation Program, Lake Manitoba Financial Assistance Program, Lake Manitoba Pasture Flooding Assistance Program, and Lake St Martin Area Assistance. (Key Source: Manitoba News Release)

North Central Region Industry Sectors 2010

From 2009 to 2010, Manitoba’s North Central region increased total employment by 4.9% to 23,600 employed.  The goods-producing sector decreased by -3.9% to 7,400 employed; the services sector increased by 9.5% to 16,200 employed.

In 2010, the largest goods producing industry was agriculture with 3,700 employed.  The largest services industry was health care and social assistance with 3,800 employed. 

Industries with largest year over year increases in employment between 2009 and 2010 included agriculture - goods producing sector (8.8%) and other services - services sector (62.5%).