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.





He says implementation of Welland’s CIP (community
improvement plans and financial incentives) programs have
generated $1,152,188 in private sector investment down-
town, which has successfully improved the area, providing
more business opportunity and an improved community
centre. “Our successful Gateway Incentives resulted in in-
creased employment opportunities.”
Welland is also within the newly federally designated
Foreign Free Trade Zone. This incentive program provides
trade incentives to businesses involved in international
trade. Other local projects include new Provincial Offences Act
Courts and the Royal Rose Place Long Term Care Facility
which is nearing completion. The city’s Waterfront Devel-
opment Project and the Niagara St. reconstruction/infra-
structure projects are also in the works. Campion says
these projects and Welland’s ongoing growth have made
the city a significant regional centre.

“Part of our strategic plan focus is development of the
recreational canal waterfront currently still in planning,” he
said. “It is expected that the plan will result in a waterfront
component to the downtown core among other things. The
first phase of waterfront improvement was the decorative
lighting of the East Main Street Bridge.”
Other strategic plan components focus on sewer sepa-
ration and improved hard services infrastructure. Campion
says there will be less sewer infiltration, thereby reducing
ratepayer costs.

Welland is also revamping its communications and pub-
lic engagement processes through a new, interactive web-
site expected to launch in the fall. “Corporate
communications has been improved and a 21 X 11 ft. LED
screen is being installed in our downtown civic square…
creating a miniature version of Yonge/Dundas Square.”
In other areas, he says the city’s building division issued
27.7 per cent more new housing permits last year over the
previous five-year average, in part because of four new sub-
divisions that either have or will be starting construction in
2016. Also within the city is Niagara College, a premier post-
secondary educational facility, which draws residents, stu-
dents, as well as business. “The college’s ability to design
programs around business needs, their Innovation Centres
and the recent addition of the Advanced Manufacturing Pro-
gram are very attractive to business.”
Campion says residents also enjoy vibrant recreational
and leisure opportunities. “Welland’s 7 km recreational wa-
terway, which dissects the city, provides a venue for inter-
national flatwater events such as the Pan Am Games, and
also enables residents to use the waterway for kayak,
canoe and other water related activities. This is enhanced
by our Merritt Island which provides a natural area for walk-
ing, hiking, biking, picnicking and so on.”
Sports facilities include a baseball stadium and the
2,250-seat Welland Arena. The Welland Community Well-
ness Complex (WCWC) is a central facility providing a vari-
ety of programs for all ages, including a therapeutic pool.

Welland is also part of the Greater Niagara Circle Route,
which enables visitors with cars and bicycles to experience
the Welland Canal from one end of the peninsula to the
other. “Our central location in the region makes travel
throughout the area simple and quick so those living and
working in the region can enjoy convenient access. Our
proximity to international border crossings is good for trav-
ellers and businesses involved in import/export.”
Campion says Welland has a variety of interesting neigh-
bourhoods. “Diverse neighbourhoods enhanced by beauti-
ful and functional parkland with 7 km of waterfront running
though the centre of the city make Welland a unique com-
bination of eclectic urban life.”
For more information, visit http://welland.ca.

WELLAND/NIAGARA GATEWAY
ECONOMIC ZONE & CENTRE
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
PLAN (CIP)
The Gateway CIP provides financial incentives to property
owners who revitalize, strengthen and diversify the economy in
Welland by promoting private sector investment, development,
redevelopment and construction activity on employment lands
in the Gateway CIP Project Area which includes all employment
lands (both strategic and non-strategic locations for
investment) within the urban area of the City.

In partnership with the Niagara Region, three Incentive Programs
are available through the Gateway CIP:
• The Tax Increment Based Grant Program (TIBG);
• The Development Charge Grant Program (currently both
the Region of Niagara and the City of Welland offer a 100% ex-
emption in Development Charges);
• City of Welland Planning Application Fee Grant Program
(available in Strategic Locations for Investment)
For further details and information, please refer to the Gateway CIP,
the Program Guide and the Applications at
www.welland.ca/Development/CIPPlans_Incentives.asp CONTACT INFORMATION
Dan Degazio, Director of Economic Development
Tel: 1-800-735-3771 or 905-735-1700; ext. 2110 Fax: 905-735-1543
Economic Development Office, Corporation of the City of Welland
60 East Main Street, Welland, ON L3B 3X4 Email: dan.degazio@welland.ca
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — September 2016 – 25