Market snapshot of the City of Welland

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Region of Niagara is comprised of twelve municipalities in Southern Ontario. Each municipality represents a unique combination of agricultural, commercial, industrial, multi-residential, and hospitality opportunities. As part of an ongoing series, I have been presenting a market snapshot of significant areas within the Niagara Region. 

The City of Welland is located in the centre of the Niagara Peninsula and all eyes will be on Welland during the Pan Am Games 2015 in July as they host canoeing and kayaking. The City is an important component of the Niagara Region as it has a strong manufacturing base, a growing population, and easy access to 75% of North America's purchasing power.

A brief overview 

The City of Welland is located within 900 km of half of the population of the United States and Canada, and 60% of the North American industrial market, which comprises three-quarters of the purchasing power of Canada and the United States. Large industries in the City benefit from the Welland Canal and good CNR railway lines. The commercial core of Welland has been slowly expanding for retail and office facilities, whereas the downtown area is in need of rejuvenation. 

Financial incentives

Welland has created community improvement plans (CIP) to address areas in need of revitalization. By improving the quality of life in these area, the City will be able to create new business opportunities and jobs. The CIPs allow the City to implement policy incentives towards specific projects and areas. CIPs in Welland include the City of Welland Gateway Economic Zone and Centre CIP, the Brownfield CIP, and the Downtown and Health & Wellness Cluster CIP. These programs involve promoting private sector investment and development. 

Transportation 

The City of Welland has an intricate highway system, with Highway 406 traversing north from Welland and intersecting Highway 20, midway, to the City of St. Catharines. Highway 406 extends southerly from St. Catharines at the QEW to the eastern areas of Welland to connect with East Main Street, which has tunnel access under the Welland Canal. There is also Highway 58, which traverses the south City areas to Port Colborne and Highway 20, just north of the City. 

Due to its location on the St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland is linked to ocean ports around the world. There is space on Welland's harbour on the Welland Canal for warehousing of goods to be loaded onto the received from ocean going ships. Welland also has rail linkage to major Canadian and U.S. centres. 

Pan Am Games 2015

Welland will be showcased on the world stage during the Pan Am Games this summer with the Welland International Flatwater Centre. The $10-million facility was completed in 2013 and includes eight kilometres of deep, placid water. The Federal Government has provided $4.1 million, while the City of Welland contributed $5,063,700 ($3.2 in construction plus $1,863,700 in ancillary costs). In order to meet international competition standards, TO2015 needed to widen a section of the canal and also added an athlete centre, a state-of-the art multi-sport training tank and a new plaza. 

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