Discover why the Region of Portage la Prairie is a great place to do business. From investment and development opportunities to commercial space, workforce resources, and business support services, our community provides the foundation for long-term success and sustainable growth.
The Region of Portage la Prairie provides excellent access to key global markets, positioned at the crossroads of major road, rail, and air networks. With a booming agri-food sector, skilled workforce, investment-ready infrastructure, affordable land and competitive hydro rates, the Region provides all the advantages your business needs to grow and succeed.
The Region of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada is an attractive destination for investors, promoting many diverse international food companies and is a thriving ecosystem of clean, family-owned enterprises. It features an Ag Centre of Excellence and a dynamic cluster for industry, positioning the Region as a premier hub for innovation and growth.
See why global leaders are choosing to grow their business here – watch The Portage Advantage and experience the Region where agri-food innovation meets opportunity.
The Region of Portage la Prairie offers exceptional connectivity across multiple transportation and communication networks, making it an ideal location for your business. Positioned 45 minutes from Winnipeg’s Richardson International Airport, Portage provides seamless global air freight and passenger services with 24/7 cargo operations. Additionally, Southport Airport serves as a local commercial hub, providing four runways and all-weather capabilities for both domestic and regional air traffic. As a gateway on the Trans-Canada Highway, Portage ensures direct access to major cities like Winnipeg and Brandon. Its strategic location places you within an hour’s drive of the U.S. border, enhancing cross-border trade and reducing transportation costs for your business.
The region is a growing hub in the agri-food industry, home to major players like Roquette, Simplot, and McCain, leading innovation in food processing and plant-based proteins. With active collaboration, research, and knowledge-sharing efforts, Portage is positioning itself as Manitoba’s future Agriculture Centre for Excellence.
Portage is uniquely positioned as the only site in Manitoba where Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) railways converge. This dual railway access provides unparalleled efficiency for shipping goods across North America, with fast connections to both eastern and western markets.
The Region’s workforce is highly skilled and diverse, with top employment sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. The workforce is particularly strong in trades, transportation, equipment operations, and sales, offering your business access to a wide range of skilled professionals. With its strategic location and competitive labor market, Portage provides an ideal setting for businesses like yours to leverage a versatile workforce, ensuring growth support in key industries.
The Region benefits from proximity to leading educational institutions that help businesses like yours access the talent of tomorrow. Within a two-hour drive are the University of Manitoba (31,000+ students), the University of Winnipeg (11,000+ students), and Red River College (9,400+ students), all providing graduates with expertise in business, healthcare, technology, and engineering. This connection to a robust talent pool ensures that your business has access to a steady supply of skilled workers, ready to support growth and innovation in key industries.
The Region of Portage la Prairie has emerged as a major player in the global agri-food sector, attracting significant investments from industry leaders. Simplot committed $460 million to expand its potato processing facility, increasing production capacity and creating hundreds of new jobs. Meanwhile, Roquette established the world’s largest pea protein facility, investing $600 million, positioning the region at the forefront of the plant-based protein industry. These investments highlight Portage’s strategic location, skilled workforce, and pro-business environment, making it a premier destination for large-scale operations.
The Region’s population growth, reaching 23,385 in 2023 and projected to increase to 24,326 by 2028, provides your business with a growing customer base and a reliable, expanding workforce. The region’s diversity, with 8% of residents being immigrants from Filipino and South Asian communities, adds cultural richness and new skills to the labor market. With 62.2% of the population in the working-age group (15-64), and strong connections to local First Nations, your business can tap into a young, diverse, and skilled workforce to drive innovation and growth.
The Region fosters a business-friendly environment with a streamlined concierge-style approach to economic development. The Portage Regional Economic Development team works closely with businesses like yours, providing tailored support, fast-tracking permits, and connecting you to key resources. Strong partnerships with municipal, provincial, and federal governments, combined with a collaborative business community, ensure you have everything needed for your business to thrive.
The Region of Portage la Prairie’s economy is powered by key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and food processing, with global leaders such as Roquette home to the world’s largest pea protein facility and Simplot, which recently expanded its potato processing operations. The region’s agri-food sector continues to thrive, attracting further investment from companies like McCain. Portage also benefits from strong contributions in healthcare and retail, creating a balanced and diverse economy. This combination of growth across multiple industries makes Portage an ideal location for your business to expand and succeed.
Portage Regional Economic Development
800 Saskatchewan Avenue West,
Portage la Prairie
Business Hours:
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Monday to Friday
Phone: 204-856-5000
Email: eoleary@investinportage.ca
