As Ontario gears up for a fresh focus on marine transportation, Niagara’s Welland Canal Corridor communities are prepared with a unique advantage: Acres of industrial land along North America’s busiest marine trade corridor. Significant surplus lands along the Welland Canal, currently owned by upper levels of government, hold major potential if they can be unlocked for industry and business. The waterway lands aren’t just serviced by ship, however. They’re part of a network of transportation and services, featuring rail and highway links, access to international border crossings, and an abundance of essential utilities like power and water.
“It’s the most available land that we can use for employment,” says Welland Mayor Frank Campion. The City is home to large tracts of surplus land owned by the federal government and the St. Lawrence Seaway, ideally positioned for business – all the more vital with the launch of Ontario’s new marine transportation strategy.
Lands along the Canal may be owned by the cities, by private companies, or Transport Canada Managed by the St. Lawrence Seaway. Local economic development departments are working with businesses to unlock the potential of these lands along North America’s marine trade backbone, the Welland Canal Corridor.
“We need all levels of government to work towards making successful use of the lands,” said Campion. “The federal government has identified us as a major trade corridor. That’s very significant. The Province has recognized that fact and come up with a strategy that will synch up with the federal government as well as local lands. It becomes a powerhouse of strategy and funding, and also ensuring we’re all rowing in the same direction.”
In Welland, an abundance of available land lies on the west side of the Welland Canal Bypass, ideal for use for a port. Still more land is available in the Dain City area, along the Recreational Canal. Welland also hosts an inlet pier in the city’s south end. “That presents an opportunity where we can actually get the ships off the Canal and into a side outlet,” Campion said. “There’s significant amounts of land that would service industry that would be served by a port.”
In St. Catharines, Mayor Mat Siscoe said the City is identifying lands owned by Transport Canada and Niagara Region that would be ideal for local industry.
“This city council is very motivated to attract new industry and new development opportunities,” said Siscoe. “Everything we’ve done since this term of council began has been geared in that direction. “If an industry is looking for somewhere to develop, you’re not going to find a more willing partner than the City of St. Catharines.”
Siscoe said the City has placed priority on Community Improvement Plans to support new development. They’ve also increased investment in the City’s economic development department to help investors get going. That’s all the more vital because of the renewed focus being placed on marine transportation at all levels of government.
“We have the benefit that we have really close proximity to the Great Lakes,” Siscoe said, citing Niagara’s advantages as a hub of multimodal transportation. “We’re seeing dollars flowing into the sector. It creates a lot of opportunities. I think there’s a renewed understanding that the Canal is a really important trade corridor,” he said. “Nothing can get to those inland markets without the Welland Canal.”
Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele identified about 200 acres of land in the city along the Canal itself as being available. Among other lands, the largest parcel available for sale is a 450-acre site, with others also available.
“The biggest advantage is the majority of us along the Canal have the whole multimodal opportunity – water, rail, and highway,” Steele said. “Niagara and Port Colborne are open for business. We’re here to work with investors coming into communities and find a right fit for them in terms of getting things in the ground.”
Steele said the City has a range of incentive programs to help businesses get going, including Community Improvement Plans, tax incentive programs, and the ability to waive development charges. Developments in the downtown may qualify for façade improvement grants, while industrial projects may be eligible for tax increment deferral.
In Welland, Campion said the City offers incentives like the Gateway CIP program, offering a ten-year tax rebate. Reduced development charges and environmental incentives are also available.
“We have a reputation for getting companies their building permits very quickly. That’s one of the more important things they’re looking for,” Campion said. He credited the City’s development team with an aggressive and streamlined permitting process recognized across Ontario for its speed. “They ask ‘What’s your secret?’ We say we answer the phone.”
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