About CEDC
We are responsible for:
- Business development
- Business retention and expansion
- Entrepreneurial support
- Opportunity promotion
- Collection and assessment of key business data
The mandate of the CEDC is to operate in a way that is:
- Project based
- Business led
- Partner driven
- Community supported
CEDC receives formal proposals on projects that will contribute to economic development. It responds quickly to new opportunities and initiatives to attract direct financial involvement from government and private sectors. CEDC’s staff will assist your business with attaining essential information for decision making.
The Thunder Bay and District Entrepreneur Centre and Tourism Thunder Bay are both located in the CEDC’s administrative office and operate under the CEDC umbrella.
Members of the Board
Peter Marchl (Chair)
Peter brings an established background in finance, solid business and entrepreneurial sense, and years of experience in volunteering and community engagement to the CEDC Board of Directors. Peter is an investment advisor and partner at Normaxx Financial. He is also the Past President for SHIFT Thunder Bay’s Young Professionals Network and is an active member of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. He has also held a position on the City of Thunder Bay Audit Committee and belongs to the Thunder Bay Yacht Club.
Craig Urquhart (Past Chair)
Craig is the President and owner of Intercity Industrial Supply. Craig is a Past Chair of the Thunder Bay Chamber of
Commerce and a Past Chair for Canada’s Mississauga based Independent Distributors Inc. group. He currently serves on
the Board of Directors for Thunder Bay International Airport Authority. Craig brings a strong business background to the
CEDC Board of Directors.
Barry has worked extensively throughout his career in business management, marketing, sales, administration and communications. Currently Barry serves as a Board Director and Chair of the Governance Committee for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, and sits on the Executive Committee in the role of Secretary. In addition, he is a Past Chair of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC), and continues to serve as a Senior Advisor on its Executive Committee. Barry is also a Board Director of Common Voice Northwest.
Sawchyn Roberta is the General Manager of the Best Western PLUS Nor’Wester Hotel & Conference Centre. She has been a leader in the hospitality industry in Thunder Bay for over twenty years and currently sits on the Board for the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. She has also taught in the Hospitality Program at Confederation College. Roberta also volunteers in our community, most recently with the leaders of the United Way as well as Easter Seals.
George began his career in the private sector and, shortly thereafter, moved to the public sector as resident geologist for Thunder Bay. This was followed by employment with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Saskatchewan where he helped develop and implement government, academic and industry programs designed to coordinate, support and promote the mineral industry and local economic development. He has also worked on a number of initiatives dedicated to building strong relationships with Aboriginal people and their communities.
As a seasoned executive and corporate director with over 20 years of marketing experience, Lauren Rigato, President & CEO of Superior Digital, is a passionate advocate for Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. Her key mandate for Superior Digital is to help local organizations achieve their full potential. In her most recent previous roles as Director, Digital Marketing and Sales with the Ottawa Senators NHL team and National Director of eBusiness at CAA, Lauren built and managed top-tier North American digital strategies that have been recognized by brands like Apple as the best in the country – valuable skills to leverage to further support the Thunder Bay community.
Council Members
Ex-Officio
Karen Lewis
General Manager, Development & Emergency Services
City of Thunder Bay
Chief Executive Officer for CEDC
Ex-Officio Defined
CEDC Strategic Action Plan
Thunder Bay CEDC launched its 2019-2022 Strategic Action Plan titled Mission Possible: Agents of Change in 2019.
Learn more about the economic development potential and plans for Thunder Bay and region.
