Winnipeg and Canada Rank Great for Business Cost Competitiveness
Winnipeg continues to be one of the most cost-competitive cities in terms of overall business cost competitiveness, according to the 2006 edition of KPMG’s Competitive Alternatives: KPMG’s guide to international business costs. The study conducted an extensive comparison of business costs in 121 cities in Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and 7 countries in Europe. Across 17 different industries, the study combined 27 cost components such as labor, land, facilities, utilities, and taxes. Of the 11 industrialized countries studied, Canada ranked as the least costly place to do business.
Winnipeg ranked third among mid and large-sized cities in Midwest North America. Winnipeg’s overall cost index was 94.1, which relates to a 5.9% cost advantage over the US average index of 100. In all 17 industries studied, Winnipeg was more cost-competitive than the average.
For the full KPMG study see www.competitivealternatives.com. Other related materials can be found on www.investincanada.gc.ca.
Affordable Industrial and Commercial Sites and Buildings
Winnipeg is location to one of the most affordable industrial land and office rents in Canada. Winnipeg has approximately 30 industrial parks ranging from 27 to 600 acres for a variety of industrial uses, and larger parcels of land available for industrial development. Virtually all industrial land is within 20 to 30 minutes of the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, as well as CN Express, CPR and CNR Intermodal facilities and downtown Winnipeg. Rent of industrial real estate in Winnipeg averages $4.25/square foot for warehouse space (triple net rent). Winnipeg also has ample commercial and office space available. Office space costs average $14.00 per square foot, which includes realty taxes and operating expenses.