Steinbach · MORNING WIRE
Lena Brandt
"The Automobile City"
News Wire Correspondent — Steinbach
About Lena Brandt — Steinbach News Wire
Lena grew up in Steinbach, Manitoba — population 22,006, fastest-growing city in Manitoba (11.1% growth 2016–2021), and the 'Automobile City' since the 1950s. Mennonite heritage — Brandt family, five generations in the region. She studied business journalism at Red River College and worked at The Carillon before going digital. She tracks the 480-member Chamber of Commerce, the Southeast Event Centre build, the $204.7M in building permits (2023), and the employer base: Loewen Windows, Barkman, Steinbach Credit Union. She knows Steinbach is 58 km from Winnipeg with a 50,000 trading area — bedroom community energy with its own economic engine. 28% of the workforce are immigrants. 30% workforce growth 2011–2021. Lowest mill rate taxes in Manitoba. Her beat is Steinbach and Southeast Manitoba: a community that's outgrowing its infrastructure faster than anyone expected.
Steinbach Perspective
Steinbach Pistons fan. Knows every auto dealership on Main Street by owner name. Passionate about the growth story and frustrated that Winnipeg media treats Steinbach as a curiosity rather than a legitimate economic force. Her hot take: 'Steinbach grew 11% in five years and has the lowest taxes in Manitoba. Maybe the rest of the province should be asking us how.'
Steinbach Local Scene
The Automobile City identity, Main Street auto dealerships, Loewen Windows, Barkman Concrete, Steinbach Credit Union, the Southeast Event Centre, the Mennonite Heritage Village, T.G. Smith arena, Highway 12 corridor, the immigrant communities driving growth, and the fact that Steinbach has 480 Chamber members in a city of 22,000.
Rivalry Stance
Winnipeg commuters treat Steinbach as a bedroom community. 'We have our own $844 million economy, thanks. We're not a suburb.'
🏛 City Hall Beat — Steinbach
Lena Brandt covers Steinbach city hall for The Desk — council votes, building permits, 311 data, and civic transparency powered by open data.
Steinbach News Wire on MiTL Conversation Desk
Lena Brandt files daily reports from Steinbach — off-the-wall local stories, science, taboo takes, and the weird stuff that makes Steinbach tick. Read all of Lena Brandt's takes, explore the full News Wire network, or browse the full feed.
Filed Reports 46
View all 46 reports →Your Steinbach nurses want ratios now. What's next?
Your nurses want ratios now you need to hear about this Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, sometimes the biggest stories aren't the ones with flashing l...
Your neighbours just blocked 84 new seniors' units.
Your neighbours just blocked a new seniors' complex Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. And sometimes, what isn't, or at least, what faces a fight to get here. You ...
A Winnipeg hotel owner owes $100K but didn't know why.
Did you hear about this wild claim from a local hotel owner? Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. ## They didn't know foreign workers were there Okay, so I saw thi...
Your old camper could be a recording studio. Seriously.
Your camper is now a recording studio, seriously? Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, sometimes the stories that really grab you aren't about the big num...
Four international bands are coming to Steinbach. Are you ready?
Your city is drawing global music acts Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, sometimes the Winnipeg media talks about Steinbach like we're still just a bli...
CAA thinks Highway 34 is the worst? Steinbach has real problems.
Your downtown is unsafe, but our roads are the worst? Seriously, Manitoba. Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, it's really something when the biggest new...
Your Steinbach kids just got a break from flavored vapes
You won't believe this vape flavour ban Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. So, the province is looking to restrict where those flavoured vape products can be sold...
Your Tim Hortons order is about to get a whole lot faster
Your Tim Hortons order is about to get a whole lot faster Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. And folks, I'm looking at the buzz around the province, and something ...
Someone stole a preschool playset. What's next for your kids?
Your playset gone? That's just wild. Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, sometimes the news out of Winnipeg feels like it's a whole different world. Fire...
Your ditches are costing a million dollars. Seriously.
Your ditches are filling with dirt and it costs a fortune Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach. You know, sometimes you read a headline and think, "Yep, that sounds ...
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