Construction will soon begin on the 665-acre CentrePort Canada Rail Park in Manitoba, creating thousands of jobs and raising the province’s investment profile across the globe.
On March 25, the Government of Manitoba and CentrePort Canada Inc. announced they had selected Focus Equities Inc. to develop the rail park project, which is expected to create up to $3 billion in economic benefits for the province, according to a release.
The rail park, to be situated on CentrePort’s 20,000-acre inland port in the Rural Municipality of Rosser, will help meet the high-volume shipping needs of global companies by transporting goods between road and rail, with nearby access to Winnipeg’s international airport.
“This development – in the heart of the country – will support our vision to make Manitoba a true trade gateway nationally and internationally,” Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said in a statement, adding that the project would create 4,800 direct and indirect jobs.
With the support of the province, CentrePort issued a request for proposals to develop the rail park project in 2018. The rail park will take advantage of Manitoba’s central location in North America to create a major hub for rail, truck and air transport.
“This development, strategically situated at the hub of international trading corridors, capitalizes on Manitoba’s historical strengths as a leader in trade and transportation and positions the province as a key player now and well into the future,” MLT Aikins Chair David Filmon, who also is Chair of CentrePort Canada, said in a statement.
Construction on the rail park is set to begin in the coming months. With supply-chain issues rocking industries across the globe, the project is already attracting interest from major companies.
“We are already in negotiations with global brands who are interested in choosing our rail park land for their transportation infrastructure needs,” said Ken Mariash, owner of Focus Equities.
MLT Aikins was pleased to act as counsel to CentrePort on this landmark agreement to create a vital transportation hub in the heart of the country. Learn more about our experience advising on major developments throughout Western Canada.