Portage la Prairie is making a name for itself on the national stage in economic development. Two local leaders, Eve O’Leary, Director of Economic Development with Portage Regional Economic Development (PRED), and Dennis Meeches, former Chief of Long Plain First Nation, were recently named among Western Canada’s top 20 economic development leaders for their work growing local economies and fostering partnerships.

For O’Leary, the recognition was both humbling and motivating.

“I felt very honoured and humbled to be recognized alongside leaders across Western Canada,” she says. “To be able to share this award with 19 people from my field was such a superb feeling.”

She credits her team and the wider community for their success.

“The collaboration between the municipal governments and all community partners is certainly something that we’re most proud of. That is what true economic development is, and that’s what leads to tangible outcomes like investment attraction, business retention, and expansion,” she explains.

Callie McArthur, Tourism and Marketing Coordinator with PRED, praised O’Leary’s leadership.

“She is so passionate about making sure that everybody has all the information they need to make this region the best place to live, work, and grow a business.”

Meeches, who spent 26 years on Long Plain First Nation’s council, including nearly two decades as Chief, has made a lasting mark on the region.

During his time in office, he strengthened the band’s corporate structure through the Arrowhead Development Corporation, supporting local business growth and creating jobs. He also played a key role in urban reserve projects in Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, including redeveloping the former Kapyong Barracks site into Naawi‑Oodena, which means “centre of the heart and community.”

Even after leaving office, Meeches continues to champion economic growth as Chair of Indigeno Travel, North America’s first full-service Indigenous-owned travel and tourism agency.

Inemesit Adeniyi, PRED's Economic Development Coordinator, also recently earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, a globally recognized credential that strengthens the team’s ability to deliver strategic, well-executed initiatives.

“I am just so lucky to work alongside such hard-working, tenacious, positive people,” McArthur adds.

From Meeches’ lasting contributions to the ongoing work of O’Leary and Adeniyi, it’s clear that strong leadership, vision, and teamwork are helping make Portage la Prairie an even better place to live, work, and grow.