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Home , Seaway Mall, Welland, Welland River

COMMUNITY PROFILE UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 2020

Economic Development Office 60 East Main Street , L3B 3X4

Phone: 905-735-1700 Ext. 2111 | Fax: 905-735-1543

[email protected] www.welland.ca www.madeinwelland.ca TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Introduction 4 Location 5 Real Estate 6 Demographics 7 Labour Market 9 Business/Investments 11 Manufacturing 12 Retail 13 Infrastructure 14 Education/Innovation 15 Health/Wellness 16 Sports In Welland 17 Recreation & Culture 19 Festivals & Events

2 of Welland | Community Profile INTRODUCTION

This profile contains information and statistics planning, local economic development, building about the City of Welland, Ontario, , that permits, local water and sewer mains, transit, local we hope is useful to those involved in making a streets, fire protection, parks and recreation, and location decision or seeking general information. public cemeteries. The Regional government Welland is a component community within the is responsible for regional planning, regional Regional Municipality of Niagara in the Province of economic development, water and sewage Ontario. The City is governed by a twelve member treatment, major water and sewer mains, solid council and Mayor. The administration of the City waste, police, major roads and social services. is under the direction of a CAO who reports to the The ensuing pages present services provided for Mayor and Council. the City and the demographic characteristics of its The City is responsible for revenue collection, local people.

BASIC INFORMATION

Coordinates: 42.9922° N, 79.2483° W | Land Area: 81.09 SQ KM

52,293 POPULATION 447,888 POPULATION AVERAGE TEMP. AVERAGE TEMP. IN WELLAND IN NIAGARA JANUARY 4.7°C JULY 21.4°C

Lake Ontario USA Niagara- Hamilton on-the-Lake Grimsby

Lincoln St. Catharines

Thorold , NY

West Lincoln Pelham Niagara Falls

WELLAND

Haldimand Wainfleet Fort Erie Bualo, NY County

Lake Erie

madeinwelland.ca 3 LOCATION

400mi

Sault Ste. Marie 300mi

Montreal 200mi

100mi

Toronto Rochester London WELLAND

Windsor Boston Erie Toledo 160mi

320mi New York Philidelphia Dayton 460mi Baltimore

Washington D.C. 640mi Louisville Charleston

Access to 75% of North America’s purchasing power

Within driving distance of 60% of the U.S. and 62% of the Canadian industrial market

7 of the top 10 U.S. industrial states are within one day’s trucking of Welland and it is even closer to major U.S. markets than Florida, Texas and California

The St. Lawrence Seaway links Welland to ocean ports in such places as Hong Kong, the Pacific Rim, Europe, and North and South America.

Easy access to the U.S. and major international transportation gateways by auto, plane and train

4 City of Welland | Community Profile REAL ESTATE Niagara Residential Market Activity Residential Market Activity — August 2020 — August 2020

Community HPI Benchmark Days / Market Community Average Fort Erie $379,500 47 Hamilton $662,257 Fonthill/Pelham $636,400 28 Stoney Creek $703,727 Lincoln $579,400 23 Grimsby $641,989 Niagara Falls $433,300 33 Burlington $856,056 Niagara-on-the-Lake $816,400 59 $951,404 Port Colborne/Wainfleet $384,100 47 Welland $389,100 HPI Benchmark St. Catharines $457,600 19 $420,700 33 Welland $389,100 28 West Lincoln $569,900 34 Niagara Average $482,600 35

madeinwelland.ca 5 DEMOGRAPHICS

Welland is one of Canada’s cultural mosaic . Welland’s population has increased by 3.5% The City contains mostly European first and since 2011 and is forecasted to grow due to its second-generation ethnic groups. Its larger ethnic enhanced quality of life. Welland and the Niagara communities are: Italian, British, German, Dutch Region are among Canada’s most culturally rich, and Ukrainian, in addition to a substantial number affordable and safe places to live. Cost of living of English and . Welland’s expenses are among Canada’s lowest. French Canadian population represents nine To view more in-depth data for Welland, visit percent of the total. Statistics Canada 2016 Census Profile.

WELLAND’S POPULATION BY AGE

23%

15% 14% 12%

10% 9%

6% 6% 5%

0-4 yrs 5-14 yrs 15-19 yrs 20-24 yrs 25-44 yrs 45-54 yrs 55-64 yrs 65-74 yrs 75+ yrs

6 City of Welland | Community Profile LABOUR MARKET

Welland is at the geographical centre of aerospace, shipbuilding, logistics, transportation Niagara’s diversified manufacturing base and equipment and primary metal manufacturing. supply chain network. Welland’s strong labour Welland also has easy access to world-class force has ready-to-go experience and depth in automotive research centres at , precision machining, metal forming, electrical & McMaster University, the University of Waterloo connectivity, hydraulics and power distribution. and the University of Windsor. The region excels in advanced manufacturing,

WELLAND’S LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

Welland’s Top 10 Employment Sectors Jobs Health care and social assistance 3,546 Retail trade 2,574 Educational services 2,492 Accommodation and food services 1,539 Administrative and support, waste management and 1,181 remediation services Manufacturing 1,089 Construction 1,027 Public administration 817 Professional, scientific and technical services 716 Finance and insurance 705 Source: EMSI, 2019.3 Dataset

WELLAND’S LABOUR FORCE BY EDUCATION

33%

No Certificate, Diploma or Degree 21% 25% High School Certificate or Equivalent

Apprenticeship, Trades Certificate or Diploma 12% College, CEGEP, Non University Certificate or Diploma 8% University Certificate or Diploma (below Bachelor level)

University Certificate, Diploma or Degree 1% Statistics Canada — 2016 Census

madeinwelland.ca 7 MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN WELLAND

1,460 530 250 250 220

WELLAND & NIAGARA LABOUR MARKET

by Sector Welland Residents Niagara Residents Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 235 5,790 Mining, Quarrying, & Oil and Gas Extraction 80 515 Utilities 180 1,370 Construction 1,960 16,065 Manufacturing 2,345 21,100 Wholesale Trade 765 7,805 Retail Trade 3,120 27,325 Transportation and Warehousing 1,060 9,440 Information and Cultural Industries 290 2,845 Finance and Insurance 890 6,715 Real Estate & Rental and Leasing 315 3,425 Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 975 10,505 Management of Companies & Enterprises 20 180 Administrative & Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services 1,735 11,900 Educational services 2,015 16,455 Health Care & Social Assistance 3,265 25,920 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 855 9,100 Accommodation & Food Services 2,090 24,915 Other Services (Except Public Administration) 1,135 10,025 Public Administration 1,245 10,685

8 City of Welland | Community Profile OPEN FOR BUSINESS & INVESTMENTS

The City’s Economic Development Office aggressively promotes the following tools to attract investment and growth in the City of Welland because we want your business. Development Team Approach – combines building, planning, engineering, economic development, and utility representatives into one development team. This allows investors and developers to work with all services at one time. This team provides a coordinated and speedy approach to obtaining the necessary site plan approvals and building permits. Foreign Trade Zone Designation – Niagara is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) point, a status that allows companies to take advantage of incentives designed to make it easier and financially feasible to import and export products. Welland Enterprise Centre – provides the information, resources and tools entrepreneurs need to start and grow a business. Brownfield Community Improvement Plan (CIP) – provides a framework of financial incentive programs, strategies, and actions to encourage Incentives and promote remediation and redevelopment of The City of Welland and the Regional Municipality Brownfield properties within the defined project of Niagara offer a series of financial incentives to area. businesses seeking to develop specific lands within Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster CIP the city. These incentives are outlined in three – provides financial incentive programs to nurture distinct Community Improvement Plans (CIPs), revitalization, reinforce diversity in downtown as a each one designed to encourage new industrial transit supportive area, and encourage strength in and commercial investment consistent with the the Health and Wellness Cluster. City’s economic development strategic Plan. Gateway Economic Zone CIP – provides financial incentives to property owners who For more information on Welland’s investment revitalize, strengthen and diversify the economy in incentives, please visit: www.welland.ca/ Welland by promoting private sector investment, Departments/EDC.asp development, redevelopment, and construction activity on employment lands in the Gateway CIP Project Area.

madeinwelland.ca 9 RECENT INVESTMENTS

$400 MILLION: Private Sector Investment Since 2015 $18.6 MILLION: City-Owned Land Sales 1.0 MILLION +: Sq.Ft. of New Industrial and Commercial Development

500,000 sq.ft 19,550 sq.ft 130 Unit Retirement Manufacturing Facility Food Processing Facility Home Residence with an investment of $240M with an investment of $9.2M

100,000+ sq.ft. 150+ Job Company 75,000 sq.ft Expansion to Manufacturing Facility excelling in digital insurance Northern Gold Foods creating 100+ jobs and financial Servies $21.1M investment, creating 25 additional jobs

WELLAND’S LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

2017 # Permits Value 2018 # Permits Value Residential 702 $64,406,900 Residential 649 $90,533,600 Commercial 54 $3,408400 Commercial 61 $6,551,600 Institutional 14 $90,227,000 Institutional 24 $16,266,098 Industrial 15 $5,385,100 Industrial 21 $13,998,800 Agriculture 1 $35,000 Agriculture 2 $115,000

2019 # Permits Value New Dwelling Units Residential 694 $109,997,008 2017 2018 2019 Commercial 72 $5,431,797 198 401 473 Institutional 9 $3,450,000 Industrial 18 $11,475,218 Agriculture 3 $791,000

10 City of Welland | Community Profile MANUFACTURING IN WELLAND

The manufacturing sector has deep roots in Welland’s history and the City has continued to keep pace with the ever-changing advanced manufacturing landscape. Welland is home to a wide range of manufacturers and is constantly welcoming in new companies. Below are a few examples of businesses that have located to Welland and have taken advantage of the City’s many assets such as its highly skilled labour force. INNIO (Formerly GE) – Welland’s GE Brilliant Factory has a new name and owner after Advent International completed its acquisition of GE’s Distributed Power business and created a new standalone energy company – INNIO. The now completed $240-million 48,620-square-metre industrial facility is located in the Harry Diffin Niagara College Advanced Industrial Park along Highway 140, between Manufacturing Innovation Centre Silverthorn Street and Buchner Road. The factory In 2013, Niagara College introduced a unique manufactures two powerful product brands – the advanced manufacturing innovation program to Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines. INNIO build collaborative relationships between students, currently employs over 250 workers. They are faculty and industry in Niagara. The program was another business to benefit from the Niagara designed to provide Niagara’s small and medium Gateway Economic Zone CIP. size manufactures with access to research talent Northern Gold Foods Ltd. – Located in the and equipment. Enterprise Industrial Subdivision has completed In 2016, the program was given a new home its 90,000 sq. ft. food processing plant during the with the completion of the 15,000 sq.ft. Walker winter of 2016 and currently employs 75 people. Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Welland. The The company has also completed a 75,000 sq.ft. new permanent, high tech manufacturing centre expansion that has created an additional 25 jobs. provides students with lab space for hands-on They are the first business in Niagara to benefit applied learning as well as innovation space for from the Niagara Gateway Economic Zone CIP. companies to conduct work onsite. Devron Sales Ltd. – recently completed Since the inception of the advanced construction of a $1.9-million 11,500 sq.ft. manufacturing program at Niagara College, facility. They are another business to benefit from faculty and students have helped many local the Niagara Gateway Economic Zone CIP. It is companies in lowering production costs, anticipated that it will create 25 new jobs when accelerating production speeds, developing the company is fully operational prototypes and accessing new markets. It’s an excellent example of the close industry-academic ties that flourish between Welland’s business and Niagara’s post-secondary institutions.

madeinwelland.ca 11 RETAIL

With an abundance of shopping facilities, Welland offers shoppers a wide variety and great selection to meet their shopping needs! Following is the information of the local major retail stores and shopping malls in Welland.

Located at 800 Niagara Street, the is a 500,000 Sq. Ft. shopping centre anchored by Heart, Staples, , Winners and Shoppers Drug Mart.

SHOPPING PLAZAS

Smart Centres Lincoln Centres 102 Primeway Drive 300 Lincoln Street 5 stores: , Canadian Tire, Rona 24 stores: Kanetix, Scotiabank, No Frills

Northtown Shopping Centre Rose City Plaza 325 Thorold Road 835 Ontario Road 13 stores: , IDA Pharmacy 15 stores: Freshco, Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO

Fitch Street Plaza South Pelham Market Plaza 200 Fitch Street 609 South Pelham Road 25 stores: LCBO, Giant Tiger 10 stores: Sobey’s, Shoppers Drug Mart

12 City of Welland | Community Profile INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES

Highways & Border Crossings Welland possesses excellent highway and bus access provided by Highway 406, a controlled access freeway connecting Welland to the ACCESS TO 4 (QEW) freeway, the Greater MAJOR HIGHWAYS Toronto Area and Buffalo, New York.

Airports Being centrally located, Welland businesses are able to take advantage of several airports such as Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ), 4 INTERNATIONAL Hamilton International Airport (YHM), Buffalo- AIRPORTS Niagara International Airport (BUF) and Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG). The Niagara Central Airport, located just outside Welland’s city limits specializes in key services such as executive charters, air cargo delivery, and aerial advertising. Rail Access The City of Welland is serviced by two Class 1 rail carriers. The Canadian National Railways and the , which interchange 2 CLASS 1 directly with Niagara’s GIO Railway for switching RAIL CARRIERS services to and/or from various industries.

Waterway Access The City’s location on the St. Lawrence Seaway links Welland to ocean ports in such places as Hong Kong, the Pacific Rim, Europe, and North / and South America. There is space on Welland’s ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY harbor on the Welland Canal for warehousing of goods to be loaded onto and received from ocean going ships.

madeinwelland.ca 13 EDUCATION & INNOVATION

Parents and students have many choices when it Post-secondary institutions local to Welland comes to education. The four school boards which include Niagara College, and . operate schools in Welland provide for a variety There are also a variety of trade and skill schools of options including French or English language for adults looking to further their education and curriculums and Catholic or Public schools. become skilled in a specific field or trade.

NIAGARA COLLEGE CANADA

Niagara College, with its main campus in Welland specializations include advanced technology, applied health, community safety, media, food and beverage sciences, business, hospitality and tourism, and environment and horticulture. Niagara College offers over 100 post-secondary programs, with 82 programs with Work Integrated Learning Activities (WIL) including 23 Co-op programs, 8 Apprenticeship programs, 27 Applied Research programs, 13 Field Placement programs, and 8 Learning Enterprise programs. BROCK UNIVERSITY

Brock University in St. Catharines is one of Canada’s top mid-size institutions in terms of quality of education, quality of teaching and most satisfied students, has 18,000 students and 600 faculty. At Brock, a significant focus on health and bio sciences has emerged, centred on the $120-million Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, a state-of-the-art facility where students and professors explore new frontiers in green science and health & wellness. Brock claims the fifth largest co-op program in Canada.

14 City of Welland | Community Profile HEALTH & WELLNESS

Welland McMaster Family Health Welland’s health and wellness network has expanded immensely in recent years to keep up with the rapidly advancing pace of medical and health sciences. The state of the art Welland McMaster Family Health Team facility encompasses 11 Integrated Health Professionals including Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitian, Occupational Therapist and more. The health team strategically strives for creating a patient-centred experience, fostering leadership and collaboration, and inspiring excellence and learning.

Welland Community Wellness Complex

One of the most scenic locations along Join the Wellness Complex to celebrate healthy the Recreational Waterway is the Welland and active lifestyle through participation in one Community Wellness Complex. The centre, or more of our active living and general interest established twenty years ago to service the programs. Join friends for a game of cards or community, the young and the young at heart shinny hockey. If you are musically inclined has expanded: increased recreational facilities, bring your guitar and jam with others who enjoy more opportunities for social interaction, cultural Country and Bluegrass. The complex also offers engagement and sport development for people of personal service clinics including MTO driver all ages and abilities. education, income tax and much more.

madeinwelland.ca 15 SPORTS IN WELLAND

Welland prides itself on the recreational Outstanding contributions to these sports opportunities and facilities it has to offer to families organizations are honoured by the Welland Sports and individuals visiting or living in this community. Promotion Committee during the annual Sports There are a number of facilities available for Awards Banquet and by Inductions to the Sports community use, with a strong emphasis on Wall of Fame, a permanent display located in the sports venues. Welland is the home to over forty Seaway Mall. recreational and competitive sports organizations.

World Class Facilities Championships at the state-of-the-art facility. In 2021 the City will be a partner host of the Canada Home to over four world class indoor sports Summer Games. facilities, Welland makes a claim to being recognized as Ontario’s Sports Capital! If you’re Youngs SportsPlex – $15.8M sports complex an avid sports fan, you may have noticed a new which offers soccer, tennis, ultimate frisbee, touch destination on the map when it comes to high football, golf, and slo-pitch. The facility features a caliber sporting events. Welland has indeed FIFA regulation sized indoor soccer field, five FIFA grown into the city of choice for many local, regulation sized outdoor soccer fields, two outdoor provincial, and, even international tournaments and ball hockey rinks, four indoor tennis courts, as well championships. as a sport performance centre. Welland International Flatwater Cente (WIFC) – The WIFC is a $10M water-based recreational area that combines international standard-competitive water sport facilities with recreational and social opportunities. The facility was primarily built for the Pan Am Games in which the city hosted. The City also had the opportunity to host the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Junior Under 23 Canoe Sprint World Championships with 63 countries competing and the ICF Canoe Polo World

16 City of Welland | Community Profile RECREATION & CULTURE

Welland’s Recreation Corridor . Suitable for family picnics, walking, hiking, biking and jogging, everyone is sure to Canal Trail and Merritt Island – Looking to spend enjoy the fresh air and good times to be sought some time in the great outdoors? Discover the at the Canal Lands and Merritt Island! Cycling is Canal Lands and Merritt Island, treasures in the becoming an even more trail-friendly experience in City of Welland. Outdoor enthusiasts marvel at the Welland now that bilingual signage has been added beauty and serenity of Merritt Island – a natural to the Greater Niagara Circle Route. paradise located steps from downtown, between the Welland Recreational Waterway and the Boat Rental Program – The Welland Boat Rental Program operates Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend, offering flatwater enthusiasts pedal boats, recreational canoes and kayaks as well as stand-up paddleboards (SUP). The Rental Program is the perfect way for visitors to see the waterway. Soon the rental program will be operating out of a brand new boat house made entirely out of shipping containers which is due to be completed in the summer of 2020.

madeinwelland.ca 17 Welland Farmers Market Community Parks The Welland Farmers’ Market operates year Welland is indeed the “City of Roses” with many round in its historic downtown site. The Market of the finest displays in the City parks. One of is available for use as a hall suitable for seating of the premier locations is the Chippawa Park rose 100 -150 people, ideal for small business meetings, garden. This floral garden is the site of many workshops, community group meetings and family wedding pictures as it features many varieties gatherings. Furthermore, the Farmers’ Market is of roses with the City of Welland rose as a part a place where local farmers provide visitors and of the display. Other major parks with excellent Welland residents alike with a wide variety of fresh facilities include Memorial Park, Cooks Mills Park, produce for purchase. During peak well Maple Park and St. George Park. Amenities do vary over seventy vendors are on site. The market is a so contact Corporate Services, Recreation and full year operation with an indoor market in the two Cultural Services. Looking for a place for a family market buildings on Saturdays only. reunion, a City park might be the spot!

18 City of Welland | Community Profile FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Spring March Break Family Free Skates Easter Egg Hunt at Merritt Island Easter at the Market Berry Bonanza at the Market Welland Ribfest Niagara Regional Exhibition Sports Awards Banquet Welland Sports Wall of Fame Victoria Day Celebrations Events and FestivalsWelland is a community Summer featuring many special events geared toward the family. The choices are numerous. Welland Rose Festival For additional information, including a International Luncheons at Market Square comprehensive calendar, important telephone numbers and a leisure directory, consult the Welland Dragon Boat Festival City’s Community Wellness Guide. The Guide showcases many of the programs and services in Concerts on the Canal the community. Copies of the Guide are available at City Hall, Welland Community Wellness Canadian Tire Float Fest Complex, and Welland Public Library, as well as Canada Day Celebrations on-line at www.welland.ca. The Folklore Festival & World Ball Autumn Oktoberfest at the Market Halloween Party Winter Welland Santa Claus Parade Welland Winter Lights Tours Holiday free skates & New Year Eve Bash

madeinwelland.ca 19 Economic Development Office 60 East Main Street Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4

Phone: 905-735-1700 Ext. 2111 | Fax: 905-735-1543

[email protected] www.welland.ca www.madeinwelland.ca