ST.
CATHARINES
Economic Development and Tourism
2014
YEAR IN REVIEW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
2
Economic Development
4
Tourism Services
10
Market Square
18
Enterprise Centre
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SUPPORTING BUSINESS.
BUILDING COMMUNITY.
Our city has undergone significant changes in a relatively short period of time. Those that think
they know St. Catharines, are often surprised to learn just how different today’s city is from
the one they presumed they knew.
St. Catharines’ reputation as the heart of Niagara is built on much more than central location.
More businesses are recognizing distinct advantages that set us apart as Niagara’s business hub.
$50
THE
MILLION
MERIDIAN CENTRE
SPECTATOR FACILITY OPENED
ON TIME
& ON BUDGET
1 MILLION SQUARE FEET
MORE THAN
3,400 BUSINESS INQUIRIES
OF THE ST. CATHARINES
PASS THROUGH
HEALTHCARE COMPLEX
& CANCER
CENTRE CONTINUES
TO SERVE THE R EGION’S HEALTHCARE NEEDS.
THE SMALL
BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE CENTRE
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, GM CANADA
HAS INVESTED NEARLY
$2 BILLIONN
$112 BROCK UNIVERSITY’S
MILLION CAIRNS
FAMILY HEALTH & BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH
COMPLEX FOSTERS DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN RESEARCHERS & ENTREPRENEURS.
OPERATIONS
REAFFIRMING ITS CONFIDENCE IN THE
WORKFORCE OF ST. CATHARINES.
IN POWERTRAIN
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON
TTHE MILLION PERFORMING
A
ARTS
CENTRE, LEADING THE ARTISTIC
& CULTURAL RENAISSANCE OF
TTHE DOWNTOWN CORE
$62 WITH 90% OF ITS SHOPPERS
WITHIN A 15 MINUTE RADIUS,
MARKET SQUARE
SERVES PRODUCTS FROM OVER
70 VENDORS & HOSTS
MORE THAN 50 EVENTS
2
OVER
G
100,000 WINE
LOVERS CELEBRATED
O
THE ENERATOR AT NE HOUSES
WORLD-CLASS TECHNOLOGY, TALENT
& EXPERIENCE PLUS DIGITAL STUDIO SOLUTIONS
FOR CUSTOMERS IN CANADA & US.
&
TOASTED THE 63RD
A NNUAL NIAGARA
WINE FESTIVAL.
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
SINCE 2011 INNOVATE NIAGARA CONSULTED
340 CLIENTS OFFERING OVER
$2.7 MILLION WORTH OF
MORE THAN
MARKETING INTELLIGENCE & SECURED
$15.1 MILLION IN FUNDING
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WHAT WE DO
BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION
NETWORKING & CONNECTION BUILDING
BUSINESS INVESTMENT ATTRACTION
TOURISM MARKETING & PROMOTION
ORIENTATION & RELOCATION SERVICES
RESEARCH & MARKET INTELLIGENCE
TRADE MISSIONS & DELEGATIONS
BUSINESS FEASIBILITY & LAUNCH SUPPORT
TRAINING & ADVISING FOR SMALL BUSINESS
PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE
PROGRAM FARMERS’ MARKET & MARKET
SQUARE OPERATIONS CITY EVENTS
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development
3
DOWNTOWN
There’s a renewed energy on the streets of downtown St. Catharines. The planning sessions and proposals
of yesterday have paved the way for construction crews and groundbreaking ceremonies. From busy cafés
to the bustling Market Square, there’s a new sense of excitement about the potential of the downtown core.
DOWNTOWN BY THE NUMBERS
3,329
$323 million
DOWNTOWN POPULATION
DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT
(to date)
$90 million
$62 million
$50 million
$42 million
$28 million
$43 million
$3.2 million
$1.3 million
$1.2 million
$1.2 million
$1 million
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Burgoyne Bridge Replacement
Performing Arts Centre
Meridian Centre Spectator Facility
Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts
Carlisle Street Parking Garage
Penn Terra Group Residential Development
The Generator at One, Niagara’s Interactive Media Incubator
Quartek Engineering New Corporate Headquarters
Renovation of Ministry of Transportation Building
Two-Way Traffic Street Conversion
McMaster Niagara Family Health Centre Clinical Teaching Unit,
McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SNAPSHOTS OF SUCCESS
In its 2014 Competitive Alternatives report, KPMG ranks Niagara CMA the sixth most competitive place to do
business among the 15 Canadian cities in the study. The City of St. Catharines has made, over the past years,
a significant amount of investments into new buildings and infrastructure. Both the public and the private sectors
are responding to the challenge through the continued redevelopment and reinvestment in our community totaling more than $104 million in building permits issued.
$54 million plus - was found in the residential sector:
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1 Norman Road - $6,300,000
136 James Street - $5,255,020
77 Avery Crescent - $4,164,810
The assembly sector had more than $24.6 million:
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84 Henry Street - $10,000,000
615 Geneva Street - $2,172,200
79 Welland Avenue - $1,800,000
585 Carlton Street - $1,500,000
Retail sector investments continued with more than $7 million spent:
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221 Glendale Avenue - $1,688,000
359 Carlton Street - $1,000,000
300 Fourth Avenue - $1,000,000
The office investments passed the $6 million mark with highest capital injections in the class A buildings:
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60 James Street - $951,000
80 King Street - $886,000
The industrial sector permit values totalled well over $5 million:
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369 Ontario Street - $1,700,000
480 Queenston Street - $1,226,800
Investments in the designated structures approached $4 million, mainly in solar panel installations:
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40 Lighthouse Road - $1,500,000
227 Bunting Road - $1,019,000
94 Dunkirk Road - $1,000,000
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SECTORS OF FOCUS
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing has played a critical role in the evolution of the St. Catharines economy. Although
the landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade, this sector continues to fuel the economic
growth of our city. With a rich industrial heritage, the city is home to an experienced, talented labour pool
with a diverse representation of the skilled trades. In addition, easy access to an efficient transportation
network provides a gateway to North American and global markets.
Renowned manufacturer of frozen entrees, Mortimer’s Fine Foods, begins production in their newly renovated
42,000 square foot manufacturing facility in St. Catharines. One of the largest pressure vessel manufacturers in
Canada purchases more than 14 acres of industrial land as a continued reinvestment in our industrial landscape.
BIOSCIENCE
While the entire Niagara region has been identified as having the attributes needed to support a strong
health and biosciences sector, St. Catharines’ network of public and private organizations, research and
resources, and academic institutions clearly position the city to play a central role.
BioLinc helps bioscience and applied health start-up businesses to thrive in the early stages of their life by providing
them with private and shared office suites, wet lab space, shared collaborative space, meeting rooms, shared
use of office and lab equipment, business counselling and training and networking opportunities. Assisting these
companies during their start-up phase helps drastically reduce the potential for failure, and helps build a stronger
foundation for growth. In 2013, the BioLinc Residency Advisory Committee accepted its first 3 resident companies:
Trivium Industries, Exact Delivery Inc. and RegenaStem.
DIGITAL MEDIA
St. Catharines has quickly become a digital media hub, attracting and encouraging an array of digital and
interactive media businesses. Innovate Niagara’s Generator at One is a partnership between the city and
a number of public, private and educational stakeholders. It has paved the groundwork for a series of
important projects in St. Catharines including software development partnerships with Microsoft and the
relocation of several new interactive media tenants to the city.
Niagara Region sees its best results in digital services, ranking FOURTH in Canada. Within this subsector, Niagara
ranks FIRST among the Canadian cities for video game production. St. Catharines based IIX Corp. (International
Internet Exchange), a next-generation software and interconnection platform designed for enterprises, content
providers, cloud providers and other network operators, raises $10.4 million in venture capital. Based in St.
Catharines, with offices in Silicon Valley, IIX was one of the first clients of Innovate Niagara - a part of the Ontario
Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE).
Additionally, ESPN films its feature in St. Catharines, Fourgrounds Media completes their first first full length feature
film – THE HOTEL DIEU, EDTS office faciltates four film requests and Phantom Compass launches their flagship
Rollers of the Realm (“Best in Play” at the 2014 Game Developers Conference), now available to PS4, PS Vista, and
PC via Altus USA.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Health and Wellness sector represents a significant opportunity for St. Catharines. The entire Niagara
region has been identified as having the attributes needed to support a strong and healthy medical and
wellness sector. St. Catharines’ network of public and private organizations, research resources and
academic institutions clearly position the city to play a leadership role.
St. Catharines hosts impressive sports facilities, including the new 48,000 square foot Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
& Dr. Huq Family Library, Kiwanis Turf Field and the world-renowned Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course. One
million square foot, state-of-the-art Regional Health Care Complex & Cancer Centre, continues to serve our citizenry.
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2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT
With aging demographic and many Family Physicians nearing retirement throughout the Niagara Region or
already retired, the Family Health Care Centre - a partnership between the City of St. Catharines and McMaster
University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine - was established. Thanks to the Economic Development
Department team efforts it will provide health care to our residents, while training future family physicians.
To top those efforts, the City’s Physician Recruiter conducted 12 orientation tours during the past year and
welcomed six new physicians for St. Catharines:
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Dr. Joren Lukings from Ontario
Dr. Kolenchenko from the Ukraine
Dr. Patel from the United States
Dr. Rawoof from Manitoba
Dr. Nowicki from Nova Scotia and Ontario
Dr. Abu-Shahrma from Ontario
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES & BOARDS:
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Citizen Centred Service Project Team Committee
Niagara District Airport Commission
Development Review Committee (DRC)
Niagara Industrial Association (NIA)
MACOA - (Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility)
Integrated Community Strategic Planning Committee (ICSP)
Futurpreneur Program (formerly CYBF)
Garden City Current Editorial Committee
Downtown Development Revitalization Committee (DDRC)
Development Process Review Committee (DPRC)
Western Hill Revitalization Committee (WHRC)
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation Regional Advisory Committee
McMaster Niagara Family Health Centre Board of Governors Advisory Board
Generator at One - Niagara Interactive Media Generator Advisory Board
City of St. Catharines Web Communications Steering Committee
Industry Innovation Centre at Niagara College Advisory Committee
Regional Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council
MEDEI Inter-jurisdictional Services to Business Advisory Panel (ISBA)
Niagara Falls SBEC Community Professionals Committee for BIZ Zone
2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
TOURISM SERVICES
Through marketing, product development and publicity, Tourism Services is responsible for supporting
the promotion and growth of the St. Catharines tourism industry.
VISITOR SERVICES
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Circulate correspondence and maintain communication with tourism partners
Respond to email, telephone and walk-in inquiries, as well as fulfill visitor packages,
update databases, and post event submissions through event poster circulation and
online via website and social media
Coordinate information booths at major events such as Royal Canadian Henley Regatta,
Niagara Wine Festival, Brock University September Student Fair, as well as provide
city guides for incoming sporting events, conferences, and meetings with 8,400
distributed, including the Niagara Sport Commission, as well as info racks at City Hall
and Welland Canals Centre
MARKETING
PRINT ADVERTISING
■ Develop print campaigns to drive tourism inquiries via phone number and/or website
■ Create annual publications and promotional pieces
■ Utilize a print media mix of travel, lifestyle and special interest publications that best communicate strong
brand messaging while driving inquires
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Ad campaigns developed with the cooperative support of industry partners
CITY GUIDE
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Annual publication with a print circulation of 100,000 copies
Targeted distribution in high-traffic areas such as the CN Tower, Hamilton/Burlington
Hotel & Visitor Centres, Pearson International Airport Terminal 1, Ontario Travel
Information Centres and Highway 400 and 401 rest stops
Online edition available at tourismstcatharines.ca
Available in St. Catharines, Niagara Region, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester and
Batavia, as well as through all of our advertising partner locations
Mailed out upon request as part of inquiry fulfillment packages, totalling in 300 parcels
(including 42 relocation kits), as well as through NHS Physician Program
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development
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TOURISM SERVICES
DIGITAL MARKETING DRIVES WEB TRAFFIC
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Banner ads
Editorial messaging
Promotional offers developed in partnership with supporting events & partners
Incorporation of multiple languages
Development of a website platform allows online promotional programs
Frequent refreshing & development of new content
tourismstcatharines.ca
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The main source for information and an overview of each tourism
partner, nearing
vivits
40,000
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80%
Almost
of sessions in 2014 originated in Canada, followed by
United States with over
12%
■ .mobi site for consumers who use handheld devices
■ Continued use of online booking engine and integration of content
with over 25,000 searches conducted - almost 70% of them by
new users
Facebook
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Great success on the initiation, drive & management of the Facebook
platform
Steady growth for Facebook with
2,706 likes
TWITTER @in-stcath
■ Account currently at 3,144 followers
■ Over 70,000 impressions over 12 months
10 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
TOURISM SERVICES
FUNDING SUPPORT SERVICES
The Sport Tourism Grant, administered by Tourism Services, retains and
attracts sports events and has been very successful at indexing those
occasions against overnight stays and filling accommodations in the city
- all while providing a perfect platform for St. Catharines’ promotional
materials.
SPORT TOURISM GRANT
■ $3.13 MILLION initial expenditure
■ $2.13 local GDP generated
■ 5,628 overnight stays
ST. CATHARINES FESTIVAL & EVENTS GRANT
Tourism Services developed the Festivals & Events Grant, geared
specifically at attracting visitors and externally-marketed happenings.
Successful applications in 2014 included STRUTT Wearable Art Show,
In the Soil Festival and Niagara VegFest. These events combined to
attract approximately 14,000 attendees, generate media recognition and
bring visitors from target markets like the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area
(GTHA).
FEE FOR SERVICE GRANTS
Tourism Services-arranged Fee for Service (FFS) agreements between the City and select recipients are disbursed
and tracked to ensure fulfillment of all requirements. Ongoing recipients are the Niagara Wine Festival and the
City of St. Catharines Folk Arts Festival. In 2014, the Niagara Integrated Film Festival (NIFF) also entered into an
annual fee for service agreement.
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development 11
TOURISM SERVICES
TRADESHOWS & CONFERENCES
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCES
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Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Summit
Economic Development Council of Ontario
Travel Information Service Conference
Conferences allowed staff to gain knowledge of the latest marketing trends,
strategies and tools, as well as how to improve the marketing process through
digital media and social media.
ONTARIO TOURISM MARKETING PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT
Hosted annually by Ontario Tourism, the summit attracts industry leaders from
across the province, providing updates on tourism and tourism marketing
trends. It also shares details about provincial initiatives and provides networking
opportunities.
BROCK STUDENT VENDOR FAIR
Hosted by the Brock University Students’ Union the fair is the largest
student gathering in the Niagara Region. This weeklong event is open to
more than 18,000 undergraduate students. The St Catharines Downtown
Association, Twenty Valley Tourism and the City of St. Catharines attended
the two-day vendor fair as partners and 500 City Guides were distributed
during this event.
TRADESHOWS
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Bienvenue Québec Pre-Scheduled Appointments:
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Ontario Motorcoach Association - Travel Trade Profiles distributed:
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These annual events provide a multitude of sponsored functions, prescheduled
networking opportunities with domestic and international groups and Free
Independent Traveler (FIT) clientele, as well as roundtable discussions with key
tour companies.
12 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
TOURISM SERVICES
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
TOURISM STAFF SERVE ON THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES, AGENCIES & BOARDS:
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PAN AM 2015 Niagara Regional Task Force Member
Downtown Development & Revitalization Committee (DDRC)
Greater St. Catharines Niagara Accommodation Partners (GSNAP) – Board Member
Greater St. Catharines Niagara Accommodation Partners - Marketing Committee Co-Chair
Niagara Sport Commission (NSC) – Sport Tourism Sub Committee Member
Niagara Sport Commission (NSC) – Bid Hosting & PAN AM Games
Niagara Falls Tourism (NFT) – Travel Trade Committee Member
Niagara Grape and Wine Festival – Events & Marketing Committee Member
St. Catharines Culture Committee
Port Dalhousie BIA – Board Member
Twenty Valley Tourism Association (TVTA) – Board Member
Tourism Partnership of Niagara (TPN) – Marketing Committee Member
Tourism Partnership of Niagara (TPN) – Strategy & Development Committee Member
Tourism Partnership of Niagara (TPN) - DMO Committee Member
Niagara Tourism Network (NTN)
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development 13
TOURISM SERVICES
FAMILIARIZATION TOURS
ST. CATHARINES PREPARED TO ATTRACT LGBT & WORLDPRIDE VISITORS
St. Catharines was one of the four destinations that participated in an Ontario LGBT tourism development initiative
being conducted by Travel Gay Canada, with funding support from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
Sport and the Tourism Partnership of Niagara. The initiative is enabling destinations to successfully prepare for
and serve the LGBT travel market through market-readiness assessments, diversity training, awareness programs,
and targeted marketing and promotions.
This initiative was launched in 2012 by Travel Gay Canada, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism,
to build LGBT travel market awareness and assist Ontario destinations with further LGBT market development,
particularly in the lead up to WorldPride 2014 and the Pan Am Games 2015 in Toronto. The objective is to grow
Ontario tourism receipts by cultivating and enhancing LGBT travel destinations, and extending the stays of outof-province visitors attending these international events. These two stakeholder sessions attracted a combined
attendance of more than 50 industry participants.
WORLDPRIDE - NIAGARA TOUR
Mr. Gay World and Mr. Gay Canada were accompanied by both Dean Nelson (CEO/Executive producer – Winter
Pride, Gay Whistler, Mr. Gay Canada – Canadian Escort) and Colin Sines (President Travel Gay Canada – Niagara
Escort). The Familiarization Tour was conducted in conjunction with the WorldPride event in Toronto. Both men
have very significant followings and both promoted their experience via social media, while in Niagara. The event
was organized in partnership with:
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White Oaks Resort
Niagara Falls Tourism
13th Street Winery
Henry of Pelham
Southbrook Winery
Niagara Kayak
Wine Country B&B
Windows by Jamie Kennedy Restaurant
Inniskillin Winery, Shaw Festival
Niagara Vintage Wine Tours
14 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
O
S S
C S
DOWNTOWN PAVES THE WAY FOR THE WINE ROUTE
Since June 2014, Wine Country Ontario visitors have more choice than ever for exploring the Niagara wine region
with the addition of downtown St. Catharines to its popular wine route. The Wine Route, which includes over
500 way-finding signs placed in strategic locations throughout the wine growing regions of Ontario, provides
consumers with easy navigation to wineries, restaurants, accommodations and other experiences in the area.
Together we have worked to enhance the experience, improve access to wine country and connect visitors to our
community.
Officially launched at the end of June, the St. Catharines section of the Wine Route is destined to be a popular
destination for those looking to add a taste of small-town living to their wine country experience. From boutique
shopping and locally-sourced dining to cozy accommodations and other discoveries, visitors will find lots to explore
in this historic town en route to the wineries.
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development 15
Whether being used as a fresh food or art market, a film screening or community event space, Market Square
provides a valuable event venue and community space in the heart of downtown St. Catharines. Market Square
operations include the marketing and promotion of Market Square, the coordination and promotion of identified
events for the City of St. Catharines, the day-to-day operation of the farmers’ market and rental of the space to
outside organizations for a variety of events.
The Market Square as it stands today was originally constructed in 2001 to house the yearly operation of
St. Catharines’ weekly farmers’ market, which has operated in approximately the same location since 1826. It is
the oldest farmers’ market in Ontario and Niagara’s largest indoor market.
OPEN 3 DAYS A WEEK, YEAR-ROUND
OVER 70 VENDORS MAY TO OCTOBER
OVER 40 VENDORS OCTOBER TO MAY
THE FARMERS MARKET SHOPPER - PROFILE STUDY
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The average spend -
$25.85 per shopper
97% want to buy products produced locally
94% value buying directly from the farmer
Approximately 6,400 visitors weekly
The market attracts new shoppers with 14% coming for two years or less
86% of shoppers from within 15-minute travel radius
99% believe that the market has an important impact on the community
16 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
MARKET SQUARE
@ MARKET SQUARE
■ Local bands take the stage for 17 weeks during Music in the Square from June through to September.
■ The Market Discovery Table is a hands-on discovery table featuring a different farm theme each week.
In 2012 the experience expanded and now is offered as a private one-hour guided class tour. For kids of all
ages!
■ Christmas in the Market adds some seasonal cheer to holiday shopping. Horse and carriage rides, as well
as free hot apple cider are offered.
ANNUAL EVENTS
■ S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival
■ Canada Day Street Party
■ Chili Cook-Off
■ Mayor’s Au Marché
■ Celebration of Lights
■ Toque Tuesday
■ Run for the Grapes
■ DSBN Skills Challenge
■ Niagara VegFest
■ Santa Claus Parade
■ Private rentals for wedding & business events
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
■ Farmers’ Market Ontario
■ Greenbelt Fresh – Market Manager Network
■ Downtown Association Promo Committee
■ Market Vendor Association
■ Niagara Wine Festival Parade Committee
■ Brock University - Business Communication Program
■ Niagara College Special Event Management
■ Niagara College Public Relations
■ Climate Action Niagara
■ Niagara Culinary Trail
■ Niagara Food Action Plan – Niagara Region
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development 17
ENTERPRISE CENTRE
The St. Catharines Enterprise Centre (SCEC) provides the information, resources and tools that entrepreneurs need
to launch and grow their businesses. SCEC is a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) and proud
community partner for the Futurpreneur Canada Program (formerly Canada Youth Business Foundation), Summer
Company (SC) program and the newly announced Starter Company program.
Sharing a co-located office space in the heart of the city’s downtown core, the Regional Innovation Centre known
as Innovate Niagara and the Enterprise Centre provide a strong, united presence of the ONE network for clients in
a growing area of the region. The co-location and shared resources within this office allow the Enterprise Centre
and Innovate Niagara to work very closely on everything from clients, to workshops and seminars, to networking
events.
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3,400 inquiries by phone, email or walk in
410 hours of one to one consulting
140 seminars run on small business topics
750 seminar attendees over the year
7,000 people connecting online (web and social media)
140 new businesses started
130 businesses expanded their sales after visiting
Supported the creation of more than 308 full- and part-time jobs
Assisted and supported clients in accessing funding in excess of $250,000 in
startup capital (grants and loans)
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220 hours of training and mentorship to young entrepreneurs
Provided more than 15 small business grants to young entrepreneurs that assisted them
in generating more than $110,000 in revenue
Provided more than
18 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW I St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services
ENTERPRISE CENTRE
WELLAND SERVICES
In addition to the office located in the downtown core of St. Catharines, 2014 saw the Enterprise Centre maintain
its ‘main street’ storefront presence servicing South Niagara for its third consecutive year. This secondary office is
the direct result of the continued co-operation between area economic development offices. Contracted through
a fee-for-service by the Welland Development Commission (WDC), the Enterprise Centre provides seminars and
one-on-one business consultation services two days per month in an office at the Welland Job Gym.
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Welland Seminars - 48 seminars with more than 170 registrants
Welland Consults -
ACHIEVEMENTS
■ Co-lead in the strategic review with partners from Niagara’s entrepreneurial
ecosystem
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Participated as guest judge for the Ontario Centres of Excellence Make Your
Pitch contest
Co-founded the Niagara Entrepreneurship Service Provider Network
Partnered with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, the Niagara Falls
Small Business Enterprise Centre and Innovate Niagara to launch MENTORup
Niagara – an online software platform matching local businesses with
professional mentors to help build stronger, more sustainable businesses
Introduced a micro-granting program called Starter Company, offering
grants of up to $5,000 to support young entrepreneurs in starting or growing
their small business
Partnered with Venture Niagara on the pilot project of providing Community
Futures Development Corporation program in St. Catharines; more than 16
loans provided since pilot was launched and more than 79 inquiries from St.
Catharines businesses. Venture Niagara has provided almost $1 million
in financing to qualified St. Catharines businesses since the pilot project
started
Partnered with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce on the kickoff event for the 2014 Small Business Month. More than 150 of Niagara’s
entrepreneurs and business professionals were in attendance
Successfully delivered a learn@lunch seminar series in partnership with
Innovate Niagara and the Niagara Falls Small Business Enterprise Centre; the
five seminars had more than 200 people in attendance
Coordinated four signature events throughout the year that had more than
250 people in attendance, including e-business seminars, Bridges to Better
Business event, etc.
WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN NOW I St. Catharines Economic Development 19