TOP 40 COMMUNITIES: WELLAND, ONTARIO
Where rails and water meet . . .

Welland thrives with industrial development and expanding
housing, recreational and community opportunities
Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
Located in the center of Niagara in southern Ontario,
Welland has traditionally been known as the “place where
rails and water meet,” referring to railways to the U.S. and
other parts of Ontario and to the Welland Canal and River.

Mayor Frank Campion says the city has begun a dynamic
renaissance which is seeing renewed interest and growth
in both the residential and employment sectors.

“Our city’s competitive advantages are numerous and fi-
nancially advantageous to those looking to invest and/or re-
side,” he says. “We are proud of our many physical,
cultural, educational, historical and human assets. Our bal-
anced approach to responsible growth and maintenance of
pleasurable lifestyle make Welland the place to be in 2016
and beyond.”
24 – September 2016 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
Campion says GE (General Electric) Canada’s recent an-
nouncement that it is constructing a new 450,000 sq. ft.

plant in Welland, creating 150 jobs, has put the city on the
global investment map.

He says the city will take advantage of this growth and
the availability of serviced industrial lands, combined with
its Economic Gateway Zone incentive, to attract GE supply
chain companies, as well as to provide partnership and ex-
pansion opportunities for local companies.

“This benefits our local economy, provides job opportu-
nities and assists in partnerships with Niagara College for
training and product development with the private sector.

Spin-off opportunities from this will substantially boost our
local economy.”
The city has an aggressive economic development team
with cross-platform personnel, ensuring rapid and accurate
information dissemination, including planning and zoning,
infrastructure and engineering information, from a single
contact point.

Campion says the city’s proactive building department
also works with industry and developers to ensure fast turn-
around on permits. “Welland has ample affordable, serv-
iced, shovel ready industrial and residential properties
available and we are leading the way in providing a pleas-
urable, dynamic lifestyle while successfully improving our
local economy and employment.”
The city also offers the Niagara Gateway Economic Zone
Incentive Program – a financial incentive based on the size
of an industrial development/increase in assessed value of
the property, number of employees and green initiative
components. The program provides waiving of fees/devel-
opment charges and an incremental tax break of up to 100
per cent on the increase in assessed value. The actual
amounts are based on a scoring matrix.