RMEDCorp

05/25/2026

We are in Estevan for the Innovate Rural Conference.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s presentation by our CEO, Margot Cathcart on “From Data to Development: Mapping Rural Opportunity,” and connecting with attendees at Booth 13.

If you are attending the conference, stop by and say hello.

05/22/2026

We are looking forward to joining innovators, economic development professionals, and municipal leaders at the Innovate Rural Conference in Estevan, hosted by Southeast Techhub.

RMED CEO Margot Cathcart will be presenting on the topic “From Data to Development: Mapping Rural Opportunity,” a session focused on how data, technology, and regional insight are helping reshape rural economic development conversations across Manitoba.

We will also be exhibiting at Booth 13, where attendees can connect with the RMED team and see a demonstration of our new Interactive Regional Profiles portal and other rural data tools.

If you are attending the conference, stop by and say hello. We would love to connect and continue the conversation around rural innovation, visibility, and investment readiness.

05/21/2026

Not everyone had the opportunity to attend the launch of the Pulse of Rural Manitoba report. This webinar is an opportunity to take a closer look at the report and what it is telling us about rural communities across Manitoba.

Join RMED and the Rural Development Institute, Brandon University, for a discussion on key demographic and economic trends shaping rural Manitoba, including housing, workforce patterns, immigration, and regional growth.at Brandon University

The session will also explore what these trends could mean for planning, workforce development, and long-term community resilience.

If you work in economic development, municipal leadership, planning, business, research, or community development, this conversation is worth attending.

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026

🕙 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST

Register here:https://rmedcorp.ca/workshop/webinar-series-topic-tbd-2/

05/15/2026

Members of the RMED team recently attended a workshop hosted by Community Futures Westman featuring Peter Kenyon, focused on storytelling, community identity, and the growing role of the experience economy in shaping local development.

One idea that stayed with us is this: people are no longer only choosing products or places based on function alone. They are choosing experiences, connection, authenticity, and stories they can remember and share.

For rural communities, that shift is significant.

It changes how we think about tourism, downtowns, local businesses, events, investment attraction, public spaces, and even how communities tell their story.

The conversation was a reminder that economic development is not only about infrastructure and statistics. It is also about how people experience a place, how welcomed they feel, what they remember, and what makes them want to return, invest, live, or build there.

Thank you to Community Futures Westman for organizing the session, and to Peter Kenyon for the practical insights and stories shared throughout the day.

05/12/2026

Have you registered for RMED’s May webinar?

Economic development decisions are becoming more complex, and the pressure to respond quickly with clear, credible information continues to grow.

How do communities move from data overload to practical insight that can support planning, investment attraction, and stronger decision-making?

Join us on Thursday, May 14, for a practical conversation with Dave Parsell as we explore how technology is changing community economic development and how tools like RMED’s Interactive Regional Profiles are helping communities access and communicate data more effectively.

In this webinar, you will gain insight into:

• How technology is reshaping economic development work

• Ways to turn complex data into usable community insight

• How data tools can support investment attraction and planning

• Practical approaches to improving communication with councils, stakeholders, and investors

• The growing role of accessible data in regional collaboration

Whether you work in economic development, municipal leadership, planning, or community development, this session will provide practical ideas you can apply in your own work.

📅 Thursday, May 14

⏰ 10:00 to 11:00 AM CST

💻 Virtual Webinar

Register through this link: https://rmedcorp.ca/workshop/webinar-series-topic-tbd/

05/11/2026

Rural Manitoba is telling a different employment story.

While many regions across Canada continue to face labour market uncertainty, rural Manitoba recorded rising employment and the lowest rural unemployment rate in the country.

In this new article, Michael Asante, RMED’s Research and Data Manager, looks at what the latest data could mean for communities, employers, and economic development across rural Manitoba.

Read the full article here:

Michael Asante While Canada’s labour market softened in April 2026, Rural Manitoba moved in the opposite direction with strong employment growth and a sharp drop in unemployment.  Recent labour force data shows […]

05/08/2026

The census is more than a headcount. It helps shape funding decisions that impact communities across rural Manitoba for years to come.

When census participation is low, communities can end up underrepresented in the data, which may affect funding tied to population and community needs until the next census cycle.

If you have received your 2026 Census invitation, take a few minutes to complete it. Every response helps provide a clearer picture of rural Manitoba and supports informed planning and investment decisions across our communities.

Statistics Canada has begun mailing invitation letters to households across Canada.

Complete your census online here: https://www.census.gc.ca/en/index?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=smo&utm_campaign=statcan-statcan-cpop2026-coll

05/01/2026

Over the past two days at the Manitoba Economic Summit, hosted by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, important conversations have been shaping how we think about Manitoba’s economic future.

Day one featured a keynote from RMED’s CEO, Margot Cathcart, highlighting what current data is telling us about workforce, housing, business conditions, and regional differences across rural Manitoba. The takeaway is clear: the trends are clear, and the opportunity is in how we respond.

Day two built on that momentum, including remarks from the Minister of
Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation on competitiveness and positioning Manitoba within broader opportunities.

As a sponsor, RMED is pleased to be part of these conversations, sharing insights and working with partners to strengthen economic outcomes across our regions.

📸Lili Krushel

04/27/2026

Economic development leaders are making high-stakes decisions every day. The question is, are they working with data that keeps up?

Following the launch of Manitoba’s Interactive Regional Profiles, this session builds on that momentum, focusing on how technology is shaping how communities access insights, communicate clearly, and make informed decisions.

We will be joined by Dave Parsell, CEO of Localintel, who will share practical insights on how data tools are evolving to support communities in real terms.

Register to attend webinar: https://rmedcorp.ca/workshop/webinar-series-topic-tbd/

Explore the platform: https://advanceruralmanitoba.ca/regional-profiles/

Join the conversation and see what this means for economic development across rural Manitoba.

04/22/2026

Yesterday was a big day for RMED.

We started the morning with a hands-on workshop for Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) members, focused on a real challenge many communities face: turning data into clear, usable insight. The energy in the room said it all: municipal leaders are ready for tools that make this easier and more practical.

By the evening, we came together for RMED After Hours, marking five years of advancing rural economic development with partners, Board members, and community leaders who have been part of the journey.

Then we did what we came to do. We officially launched Manitoba’s Interactive Regional Profiles.

The platform is now live, giving Manitoba regions access to dynamic, easy-to-use data that supports stronger decisions, clearer communication, and better outcomes.

Check it out here: https://advanceruralmanitoba.ca/regional-profiles/

Thank you to our Board members, representatives from the Department of

Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, and the many municipal leaders who showed up, engaged, and continue to advance the prosperity of rural Manitoba.