City of St. Catharines COMMUNITY PROFILE

Transcription

1 City of St. Catharines COMMUNITY PROFILE

2 Economic Development & Tourism Services City of St. Catharines P.O. Box 3012, 50 Church Street St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7C2 Phone: x 1760 Fax:

3 PLACE

4 CONTENT INTRODUCTION...3 Community Vision...4 Community Goals...4 LOCATION...5 Highlights...6 CLIMATE...7 HISTORY...8 Heritage...11 Downtown...11 Downtown Association...12 TRANSPORTATION...13 Roads...13 Rail...13 Transit...13 Water Air COSTS OF LIVING Property Taxes...16 Water Rates...17 Hydro Rates...18 Gas Rates...19 Tipping Fees...20

5 INTRODUCTION E conomic De v elopment & Tourism Serv ices The Economic Development Department is responsible for the attraction of new businesses to St. Catharines as well as encouraging the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the community. SERVICES Business Recruitment, Retention & Site Selection Assistance Corporate Visitation Program Small Business Development Industry Seminars & Workshops Market Research and Assistance Physician Recruitment Domestic and International Marketing BUSINESS EXPANSION & RETENTION ASSISTANCE The corporate calling program helps identify local business-related issues or opportunities which need to be addressed. The following highlights the program objectives: To retain the economic base of St. Catharines and facilitate growth of local businesses To facilitate expansion plans of local companies To provide solutions, alternatives, and/ or explanations to businesses who have expressed concerns or issues with a business related matter or simply require information (i.e. Demographics, financing, etc.) To act as a liaison/ambassador of the City during site visitations while providing information about EDTS To create a positive public image of City Hall and generate greater awareness about the advantages of operating a business in St. Catharines SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The St. Catharines and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre provides information on public and private sector programs and services, as well as training and on-going counselling to support small business development for entrepreneurs and students. Areas of support include business feasibility, planning, marketing & franchising. Economic Development & Tourism Services PO Box 3012, 50 Church St. St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2 Phone: ext Fax: edt@stcatharines.ca Tourism Promotion To collect both quantitative and qualitative information from businesses that can be used to assist EDTS in structuring future initiatives for economic development in the City. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

6 C ommunity Vision The Community Vision describes St. Catharines 10 years from today: St. Catharines - The Garden City A Welcoming & Nurturing Community A city that: is safe and secure thrives through innovative leadership and integrity stimulates and values a vibrant downtown core the heart of our City embraces its culture and the diversity of its citizens celebrates its unique agricultural and historical assets works together to foster new business and employment opportunities promotes a healthy environment and ideal location C ommunity Goals To be recognized as a welcoming community by both current residents and those that will consider moving to or visiting our city - we will develop our community to achieve this goal. To address & speak with a strong voice for the needs of its residents - the community s priorities will be actively pursued with senior levels of government. To enhance the attractiveness, accessibility and viability of the Downtown as a commercial, residential, social, entertainment & civic centre. To celebrate cultural diversity & draw out broader community participation. To support the agricultural community & encourage the preservation of our agricultural resources and way of life, while allowing positive change which promotes rather, than jeopardizes the future of agriculture within St. Catharines. To preserve & protect St. Catharines natural and built heritage as key to tourism and community identity. To target new business & employment opportunities as a means to diversify St. Catharines economic base. To preserve, protect & enhance natural and environmentally significant areas To provide for safe, diverse transportation alternatives To provide a range of recreational activities for all ages City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

7 LOCATION St. Catharines is part of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The Region is bordered by the city of Hamilton to the west and the United States border to the east. The total area of the Region is 1,851 square kilometres (715 square miles). St. Catharines occupies 99 square kilometres (38 square miles) of Niagara Region s total area. St. Catharines is the largest municipality in the region, with a population of 132,000. The region s total population is 428,000. St. Catharines is situated 111 kilometres (70 miles) from Toronto and 19 kilometres (12 miles) from Niagara Falls and the United States border. The major urban centres of Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo and Rochester, which contain approximately ten million people, are all located within a 160 kilometre (100 mile) radius of St. Catharines. Windsor, London, Syracuse, Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh are all less than 460 kilometres (250 miles) away. New York City is less than 726 kilometres (450 miles) from St. Catharines. The Niagara Peninsula is bounded on the north by Lake Ontario, on the south by Lake Erie and on the east by the Niagara River. The Niagara Peninsula stretches 56 kilometres (35 miles) from lake to lake, and some 72 kilometres (45 miles) from the Niagara River westward to Hamilton. It is a major land bridge between Canada and the United States. The Region consists of twelve municipalities: St. Catharines Niagara Falls Welland Fort Erie Port Colborne Grimsby Thorold Lincoln Pelham Niagara-on-the-Lake West Lincoln Wainfleet City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

8 H ighlights WELLAND CANAL NIAGARA FALLS NIAGARA ESCARPMENT The Niagara Escarpment runs through southern part of St. Catharines and ends hundreds of miles later at Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula. Crossing the Niagara Region and rising approximately 50 metres (164 feet), the Escarpment has been a major factor in the area s development. The presence of the Escarpment to the south, along with Lake Ontario to the north, created local microclimate, which enabled production of grapes and tender fruit in Niagara. The Welland Canal links Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and offsets the height difference of 99.7 metres (327 feet) between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. It is the fourth version of the original canal built in The Canals had a tremendous impact on the development and growth of St. Catharines - the city became the business centre for the canal administration. The Niagara Falls is located just a few minutes from St. Catharines. Spectacular views have drawn tourists for more than a century and the site receives between twelve and fourteen million visitors annually. The Niagara Parks Commission operates a number of tourist attractions along the Niagara Parkway, including parks, horticultural gardens and the Butterfly Conservatory. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

9 CLIMATE St. Catharines enjoys a unique micro-climate because of the moderating influence of two of the Great Lakes: Erie & Ontario, and due to the sheltering effect of the Niagara Escarpment. Because of its climate Niagara is known as the fruit basket of Canada with St. Catharines as Niagara s heart. From early MEAN DAILY TEMPERATURE Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec -4.10C -3.60C 1.10C 7.20C 13.60C 18.80C 21.80C 20.80C 16.60C 10.30C 4.60C -1.10C 24.60F 25.50F 34.00F 45.00F 56.50F 65.80F 71.20F 69.40F 61.90F 50.50F 40.30F 30.00F Source: Environment Canada, AVERAGE PRECIPITATION & SUNSHINE HOURS spring, when orchards are in full bloom, until the grape harvest in late fall, the countryside beckons visitors with brilliant colours of fields Month Mean Rainfall mm/in Mean Snowfall cm/in Total Precipitation mm/in Days with Measurable Precipitation Days with Measurable Snowfall Total Bright Sunshine Hours & flowers. January 28.8/ / / February 26.1/ / / March 46.6/ / / April 70.2/ / / May 74.6/ / June 82.6/ / July 73.6/ / August 72.1/ / September 71.5/ / October 68.5/ / November 66.2/ / / December 44.9/ / / Source: Environment Canada, City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

10 HISTORY The site of present-day St. Catharines was settled by three thousand United Empire Loyalists at the end of the eighteenth century. As farmers, the Loyalists found the area suitable as they required open areas with fertile soils and permanent streams. From 1790, the settlement (then known as The Twelve ) grew as an agricultural community and was also known for its services to travellers along the Indian trails at the foot of the Escarpment. Later called Shipman s Corners after Paul Shipman, owner of a tavern that was an important stagecoach transfer point, the increasing amounts of grain and lumber produced by settlers in the surrounding area led to the establishment of many saw and grist mills along the Twelve Mile Creek. Although the War of 1812 saw widespread destruction along the Niagara frontier, Shipman s Corners survived due to its inland location, its mills were in great demand as settlers were reluctant to rebuild closer to the Canadian - American border. In 1815, leading businessman William Hamilton Merritt abandoned his wharf at Queenston near the border and set up another at Shipman s Corners. He also became involved in the construction and operation of several lumber and grist mills along the Twelve Mile Creek. Shipman s Corners soon became the principal milling site of the eastern Niagara Peninsula. At about the same time, salt springs were discovered along the river which subsequently gave the village a reputation as a health resort. By this time St. Catharines was the official name of the village; the origin of the name remains obscure, but it is thought to be named after Catherine Askin Robertson Hamilton, wife of the Hon. Robert Hamilton, a prominent businessman. In 1812, the Erie Canal was completed, linking Lake Erie with the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean. Canadians considered that efforts were needed to move Canadian exports wholly through Canada rather than remaining dependent upon access via the Erie Canal through the United States. Merritt devised a canal scheme to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario that would provide a more reliable water supply for the mills while at the same time functioning as a canal. He formed the Welland Canal Company, with the construction lasting from 1824 to Due to the canal and the mills, St. Catharines became the most important industrial centre in the Niagara frontier. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

11 In 1832 the canal became essential for ship building and St. Catharines gained enormously from the presence of the canal while other areas stagnated or declined. By 1845 St. Catharines was incorporated as a town, with the town extended in By this time railway traffic connected St. Catharines south to Port Colborne and west to Hamilton. Administrative and political functions were added to St.Catharines in 1862 when it became the county seat of Lincoln. The rotting wooden canal locks were replaced with stone locks which were more numerous, wider and deeper. This canal was commonly known as the Second Welland Canal although it followed the same course as the original canal. In time milling declined as the large ships could not pass through the canal, and the grain was being unloaded and milled at Port Colborne on Lake Erie. St. Catharines farmers could not compete with the low-cost wheat from other places and were forced to look for other products. Some found the soils and climate of the lake plain to the north of the Niagara Escarpment were suited to fruit cultivation with peaches becoming one of the first major crops. In 1871 construction began on the Third Welland Canal which attracted additional population to the town. As a consequence of continual growth, the town limits were again extended. St. Catharines attained city status in 1876 with its larger population and area. By 1881 there were more acres in urban use in St. Catharines than there were rural acres in use. The completion of the Third Welland Canal in 1887 however led to an eventual population decline due to the departure of large numbers of canal workers. The shipyards and mills had relocated as well. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

12 Manufacturing became increasingly important in St. Catharines in the early 1900 s with the abundance of hydro-electric power, location on important land and water routes, and imposition of industry tariffs. The large increase in population after 1900 was mainly due to the continued industrialization and urbanization of the northern part of the city and the related expansion of business activity. Two bridges were constructed in 1915 which solved the problem of access to the west and south sections of the city resulting in the number of houses doubling in the western area. A Fourth Welland Canal was opened in 1932 as the Third Canal could no longer accommodate the larger ships. The filled portion of the Third Canal gave further space for growth. The post war years and the automobile brought great change to the urban form of St. Catharines as suburbanization spread and the general standard of living had improved for many people. St. Catharines began to spread its boundaries in all directions with land being added five times during the 1950 s. The Town of Merritton, Village of Port Dalhousie and Grantham Township were all incorporated as part of St. Catharines in And in 1970 the Province of Ontario implemented a regional approach to deal with such issues as planning, pollution, transportation and services. As a result, Louth Township on the west side of the City was amalgamated, extending the city s boundary to Fifteen Mile Creek. With its current population of 132,000 St. Catharines has become the dominant urban centre of the Niagara Region. In 1947 there was further extension of the city to the south as 650 acres were annexed, giving the city land to the foot of the escarpment for park and high-quality residential development. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

13 H eritage Heritage designation is a recognition of people and places that have contributed to the development of St. Catharines. Our built heritage is one of our more visible cultural assets. It is on view every day on every street. St. Catharines City Council established the St. Catharines Heritage Committee in 1976 (Formerly referred to as the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee) to advise and assist Council in all heritage matters according to the Ontario Heritage Act. The committee members are all volunteers who devote countless hours preserving the community s heritage. Professional and administrative support is provided by Planning Services. CULTURAL HERITAGE LANDSCAPES In addition to conservation of built resources, St. Catharines also recognizes the need to identify and conserve our significant landscapes, vistas & ridgelines. DOWNTOWN Downtown St. Catharines stands as a symbol of the City s rich heritage from its humble beginnings as a storehouse for goods operating at the crossing of an Iroquois trail over Twelve Mile Creek. The Trail evolved with the community into St. Paul Street, the backbone of the mercantile district, well known for its lively atmosphere of commerce and industry resulting from the construction and operation of the first and second Welland Canals behind St. Paul Street. The historical nature of the Downtown is evident by its beautiful two-hundred year old churches and interesting classical architecture. Today, the Downtown is home to an eclectic variety of specialty shops, ethnic and contemporary restaurants, cafes, clubs, and the Farmer s Market, providing for a wealth of unique shopping, dining and recreation experiences. The Downtown is also home to a wide variety of offices and professional practices, with over 2,700 parking spaces available making the Downtown easily accessible for customers, clients, and employees alike. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

14 D owntown Association The St. Catharines Downtown Association is a not-for-profit organization, which represents approximately 500 businesses in the St. Catharines Downtown BIA (Business Improvement Area). The Association actively markets the BIA through advertisements in local media, by producing lure and dining brochures, providing seasonal and special occasion decorations & banners to members, and compiling vacancy listings for retail & commercial spaces. The Association also constructs and maintains information kiosks which include maps and listings of all Association members. The Association plans and hosts approximately five events yearly to attract residents and tourists to the downtown, and to promote community goodwill. Typically, these events include a Bridal Showcase, Restaurant Walking Tours, the Downtown Summerfest, a Demonstration Day, the Montebello Candlelight Walk and Christmas Launch. The Association maintains active communication with its members and between members by producing a newsletter and Downtown Alert bulletins, by hosting member networking sessions and the Annual General Meeting, and by providing New Member Orientation Program packages to new enterprises in the BIA. The Association actively responds to member concerns through advocacy to community agencies, government, and business peers in the BIA. The Association uses creative problem solving and negotiating to find solutions to members concerns, and has done so on such issues as facade improvement, parking, traffic, greening, urban stewardship, recycling, signage, and market value assessment. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

15 TRANSPORTATION R oads PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS St. Catharines is strategically situated within an excellent network of transportation modes. Major highways link the city with Toronto and other Canadian cities, as well as Buffalo, Detroit and the United States. Queen Elizabeth Way (Q.E.W.), Toronto to Buffalo Highway 406, St. Catharines to Port Colborne Highway 20, Q.E.W. to Highway 403 Highway 3, Fort Erie to Windsor R ail The St. Catharines train station is located on Great Western Street, near the downtown section of the City. For passenger information, contact: Via Rail Canada Inc. - (888) or visit For non-passenger information, contact: Canadian National Railway (800) or visit Transit BUS LINES Greyhound Canada Daily bus service from St. Catharines to Niagara Falls, Burlington, London, Toronto, Buffalo, New York, Boston, Washington & Hamilton International Airport Fares and Schedule: (905) Charter Information: or Trentway-Wagar Inc. Daily bus service from St. Catharines to Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph, Niagara Falls & Buffalo (New York), with connections at Buffalo to New York City and other major U.S. cities; provides service to Buffalo International Airport Fares & Schedule: (905) Charter Information: (905) or ST. CATHARINES TRANSIT Daily scheduled service within St. Catharines & Thorold. Fares & Schedule: (905) or BUS TERMINAL Union Bus Terminal 70 Carlisle Street, St. Catharines, (905) or (905) AIRPORT BUS SERVICE Niagara Airbus Door to door service to Toronto and Buffalo airports. Offers group discounts and continuous monitoring of airline flights; twenty-four hour service, frequent trips; government approved, accessible to disabled Fares & Schedule: (800) or Central Taxi Airport service to Buffalo, Toronto and Hamilton; reasonable rates Fares & Schedule: (905) Limousine Specializing in private service; large fleet of clean vehicles - private sedans, wagons, stretch limousines, vans, mini-coaches, charter buses; professionallytrained drivers & chauffeurs Fares & Schedule: City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

16 Water A ir NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VESSEL & NAVIGATION INFORMATION St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation Niagara Region-Welland Canal 508 Glendale Avenue, St. Catharines (905) Pleasure Craft (905) ex.5461 MARINAS Port Dalhousie Pier Inc. 80 Lighthouse Road, St. Catharines (905) Any size dockage, 30 ton lift pump out, storage and repairs available; boat sales and floating restaurant. St. Catharines Marina Ltd. 200 Broadway Avenue, Port Weller East (905) or Full service marina, open 7 days a week. Dalhousie Yacht Club 74 Lighthouse Road, (905) Located on the east pier in Port Dalhousie, boasting a full range of facilities. City of St. Catharines (905) ext Itinerant docking facilities for a few hours or overnight; located along the west pier in Port Dalhousie Harbour next to historic Lakeside Park. NIAGARA DISTRICT AIRPORT PO Box 640, Virgil, Ontario, L0S 1J0 Administration Office: (905) or The Niagara District Airport is located 10 minutes from St. Catharines in Niagara-on-the-Lake and handles commercial, charter, private and corporate aircraft. 3 runways, longest 5,000 feet (main runway repaved in 1991) can handle up to 737 or DC-9, all private corporate jets (i.e. Lear, Gulfstream) on-site customs clearance available operates 24 hours, 7 days charter and business flights, sightseeing private cargo handling flying club: private & professional lessons including multi-engine, instrument and instructor ratings; Cessna pilot centre; Government approved HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport Administration Office: (905) or Located approximately 45 minutes from St. Catharines, 90 minutes from Buffalo & ½ hour from Toronto. Niagara Falls, New York International Airport Administration Office: (716) or Located approximately ½ hour from St. Catharines BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Buffalo, New York Greater Buffalo International Airport Administration Office: (716) Located approximately 45 minutes from St. Catharines; commercial carriers: American Airlines, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Niagara Airlines, T W Express, U.S. Air, U.S. Air Express, United TORONTO PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Airport Administration Office: (416) or located 1 hour from St. Catharines Canada s busiest airport: 3 terminals for domestic & international flights services more than 70 domestic and international airlines private aircraft facilities City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

17 Modified from: St. Catharines niagpen.pdf. St. Catharines, Ontario: Brock University Map Library Available: Brock University Map Library Controlled Access htt p:// (Accessed September 11, 2008).

18 COSTS OF LIVING PROPERTY TAXES PROPERTY TAXES CALCULATED Current Value Assessment X Municipal Tax Rate = Municipal Property Taxes Current Value Assessment X Regional Tax Rate = Regional Property Taxes Current Value Assessment X Education Tax Rate = Education Property Taxes Inquiries regarding unique property calculations should be directed to the Collections general line at , ext URBAN TAX RATE COMPARISON BY CLASS Property Class Residential Multi-Residential Multi-Residential - New Commercial - Occupied Commercial - Vacant Industrial - Occupied Industrial - Vacant Large Industrial - Occupied Large Industrial - Vacant Property Class PROPERTY TAX RATES City Region Total School Total Urban General Hospital Urban Total General Waste General Urban ( ) (1 to 6) (3) Residential % % % % % % % % % % Multi-Residential % % % % % % % % % % Multi-Residential - New % % % % % % % % % % Commercial - Occupied % % % % % % % % % % Commercial - Vacant % % % % % % % % % % Industrial - Occupied % % % % % % % % % % Industrial - Vacant % % % % % % % % % % Large Industrial - Occupied % % % % % % % % % % Large Industrial - Vacant % % % % % % % % % % Pipelines % % % % % % % % % % Farmlands % % % % % % % % % % Farmlands Awaiting Dev I % % % % % % % % % % Farmlands Awaiting Dev II % % % % % % % % % % Source: City of St. Catharines, Financial Management Services Department City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

19 WATER RATES City Council passed the Water & Wastewater Budgets on March 29, New Water & Wastewater rates are effective for billing periods ending on or after April 1, The City s current Water & Wastewater rate structure is a combination of fixed & volumetric charges. The fixed portion is calculated to recover the costs of the Watermain & Sewer Replacement program budgets. The remainder of the costs are recovered through the rate portion. On average, 65% of each water bill paid to the City covers the Region of Niagara s water costs. There is a shared responsibility for the treatment and distribution between the City & the Region. The City acts as a wholesaler in the distribution of water to the consumer. CONTACT INFORMATION Billing Inquiries (905) Ownership Changes (905) ext Payment Inquiries (905) ext Pre-Authorized Payment or Past Due (905) ext Account Inquiries Fax Number (905) Inquiries waterinfo@stcatharines.ca 24 Hour Emergency Number for (905) Water & Sewer CURRENT RATE SCHEDULE: Usage Charges Base Charges (per month) (per cubic metre) Water $11.75 $1.106 Wastewater $6.50 $1.349 MINIMUM BILLS $73.00 is the minimum amount for service (per 4 month period) regardless if any water is being consumed at the property or not. Meter Size: Meter Rentals (list available for larger meters) SAMPLE CALCULATION (4 Month Bill) 80 cms x $47.00 (Watermain Replacement Charge) = $ cms x $26.00 (Sewermain Improvement Program) = $ Total Water & Wastewater Bill = $ Conversions: 220 Gals = 1 CM 1,000 Litres = 1 CM Cubic Ft x 6.23 = Gallons Amount Per Year 3/4" Displacement $ " Displacement $ /2" Displacement $ /2" Turbine $ " Displacement $ " Turbine $ " Compound $96.00 Other Fees: New Account Administrative Fee $16.15 Duplicate Copy of Water Account $10.76 Water Certificate $25.00 Water Billing Add to Taxes Fee $37.66 Service Calls (includes water turn on/off): Regular Rate - Residential $71.48 Over time Rate - Residential $90.78 Overtime Rate - Commercial $ Water Meter Bench Test (incl. HST, meter removal, testing & replacement) $ Frozen Water Meter Replacement (up to 1" minimum charge) $ City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

20 HYDRO RATES CHARGES R ate Structure as of May 1, 2010 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES GENERAL SERVICES LARGE USERS Less then 50kW Demand More then 50kW Demand Over 5,000 kw Demand 250,000 kwh or less annually 250,000 kwh or less annually or designated customer* Electricity Used - Interval Metered non designated First 750 kwh Per kwh N/A $0.065 $0.065 N/A Summer first 500 kwh Per kwh $0.065 N/A N/A N/A Winter first 1000 kwh Per kwh $0.065 N/A N/A N/A Over conservation block Per kwh $0.075 $0.075 $0.075 N/A Electricity Used - over 250, 000 kwh annually or non designated Per kwh N/A N/A Weighted Average Spot Market Price N/A Electricity Used - Interval Metered non designated Per kwh N/A N/A Spot Market Price Spot Market Price Regulatory Charges Non Competitive Energy Charges Per kwh $ $ $ $ Administration Charge Per Month $0.25 $0.25 N/A N/A Debt Retirement Charge: Per kwh $ $ $ $ Delivery Transmission Charge Connection Per kw $ $ $1.779 $ Transmission Charge Network Per kw $ $ $ $ Variable Distribution Charge Per kwh $ $ $ $ Fixed Distribution Charge Per Month $14.24 $29.01 $ $11, Standard Supply Service Per Month N/A N/A $0.25 $0.25 Note: Debt Retirement Charge and Local Distribution Charge are not multiplied by the 4.21% Adjustment Factor. The Adjustment Factor for primary metered customers is 3.16%. * designated customers include MUSH plus types of customers. These include the following Municipalities, Universities, Schools, Hospitals and registered charitable organizations. Source : City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

21 GAS RATES The Ontario Energy Board ( OEB ) has approved changes to Enbridge Gas Distribution s rates effective July 1, The Gas Supply component of the Cost Adjustment is currently a refund of /m³. This refund combined with the Gas Supply Charge results in a new total effective Gas Supply rate of /m³. DELIVERY TO YOU The Delivery charge has decreased by approximately $13 per year for a typical customer. For a typical commercial and industrial heating customer, the changes will result in a decrease of approximately $1,088 annually, including the applicable cost adjustment. The decrease is primarily due to lower natural gas prices in North America. The total effect on your bill will depend on how much gas you use. Our supply prices are based on a forecast of market prices for the next 12 months. The forecasted prices are reviewed every three months and adjusted accordingly. If our forecasts are over or under our actual costs, we refund or collect the difference from customers through cost adjustments. BILL UPDATE Enbridge had changed how some adjustments appear on your bill. Your monthly bill will now have a Cost Adjustment line. This line is made up of three components: Gas Supply, Transportation and Delivery. Learn more by reading the Take a Good Look note included in your bill this month or visiting enbridgegas.com. GAS SUPPLY CHARGE The Gas Supply Charge has decreased from cents per cubic metre ( /m³ ) to /m³. Enbridge Gas Distribution does not make a profit on the price of natural gas. TRANSPORTATION TO ENBRIDGE The Transportation charge has increased by approximately $33 per year for a typical customer due to higher costs for transporting natural gas through pipelines from Western Canada and the United States to Ontario. COST ADJUSTMENT The total Cost Adjustment refund is /m³, effective until June 30, Please see the chart on the reverse for the breakdown by component. COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL RATES (Based On A Typical Commercial & Industrial Heating & Water Customer Who Uses 22,606 Cubic Metres Per Year) Monthly Charges Monthly Rates Annualized Increase/Decrease Customer Charge per meter per month $60 No Change Gas Supply Charge /m³ -$873 Transportation to Enbridge /m³ $33 Delivery to You (Amount of gas used per month in cubic metres) -$13 Delivery to You Breakdown First 500 Next 1,050 Next 4,500 Next 7,000 Next 15,250 Over 28,300 Cost in cents per cubic metre /m³ /m³ /m³ /m³ /m³ /m³ /m³ Gas Cost Adjustment (April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011) ( /m³) -$235 Source: Enbridge Gas Distribution Note: Schedule of gas rates effective after July 1, 2010 City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

22 TIPPING FEES TIPPING FEES AT LANDFILLS WITH SCALES Niagara Region Landfills with Scales: FEES Bridge Street Landfill Site (Fort Erie) Niagara Road 12 Landfill Site (West Lincoln) Humberstone Road Landfill Site (Welland). SELF-HAULED RESIDENTIAL WASTE Residential waste includes: Household garbage, large bulky household items, tires, scrap metal, white goods, ballasts*, appliances containing CFC s, construction and demolition, new drywall, wood, shingles, stumps. Residential Self-hauled leaf and yard waste includes: grass, leaves & brush. There is a $5 minimum fee for waste up to 60 kilograms (132 lbs). After 60 kilograms, fees are calculated at a rate of eight cents per kilogram ($80/tonne).). No charge for residents Residential Self-hauled Recyclable Material includes: clean loads of newspapers, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles & jars No charge for residents Residential Self-hauled Inert Materials includes separate & clean loads of soil, concrete, asphalt, & bricks. No charge for residents COMMERCIAL HAULERS & CONTRACTORS Commercial waste includes: industrial and commercial non-hazardous solid waste, construction & demolition waste, shingles, stumps, grass, brush and leaf & yard waste. There is a $5 minimum fee for waste up to 60 kilograms(132 lbs). After 60 kilograms, fees are calculated at a rate of eight cents per kilogram ($80/tonne). Concrete (no re-bar) & Asphalt $10 per tonne Clean Soil $10 per load Contaminated Soil (accepted under Reg. 558) $20 per tonne Vehicle Weight Only $5 per vehicle Tires and white goods are not accepted from commercial haulers & businesses Source: Niagara Region City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

23 PEOPLE

24 CONTENT POPULATION...3 LABOUR FORCE...4 Major Employers...8 EDUCATION...9 Education Statistics... 10

25 POPULATION One of the many valuable resources, which St. Catharines has to offer, is its people. Our flourishing community has grown from 129,170 in 2001 (Statistics Canada 2001 Census) and is estimated to be at 131,989 in 2006 (Statistics Canada 2006 Census). This represents a growth of approximately 2.2% between the years of 2001 and With over 30% of the Niagara Region s population, the City of St. Catharines is truly The Heart of Niagara. This diverse, educated and growing population will certainly meet all of your business needs. NIAGARA REGION POPULATION MUNICIPALITY % CHANGE GRIMSBY 23,628 21, % LINCOLN 23,506 20, % NIAGARA FALLS 83,941 78, % FORT ERIE 30,304 28, % NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE 15,094 13, % PELHAM 16,939 15, % PORT COLBORNE 19,170 18, % ST. CATHARINES 131, , % THOROLD 18,930 18, % WAINFLEET 6,530 6, % WELLAND 50,288 48, % NIAGARA REGION TOTAL 427, , % Source: FP Markets Canadian Demographics & Statistics Canada ST. CATHARINES AGE STRUCTURE (2001 AND 2006) AGE CATEGORY MALE FEMALE TOTAL % CHANGE ,235 3,355 3,080 3,250 6,315 6, % ,710 7,920 7,365 7,625 15,070 15, % ,295 4,045 4,255 3,910 8,550 7, % ,615 4,030 4,685 4,145 9,295 8, % ,275 17,330 17,320 18,035 33,590 35, % ,255 8,805 9,960 9,475 19,210 18, % ,665 6,665 8,470 7,320 16,135 13, % ,215 5,350 6,290 6,490 11,515 11, % ,800 3,530 5,485 5,325 9,290 8, % ,055 1,790 3,025 2, % TOTAL 63,035 61,810 68,955 67, , , % Source: Statistics Canada Census 2006 City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

26 LABOUR FORCE In the CMA region of St. Catharines-Niagara, employment fell from 2008 to There was ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE COMPARED ( ) a negative change in the labour force over this time period and unemployment in the region 12.0% increased, pushing the unemployment rate up 10.0% 9.9% 10.6% 11.0% from 7.7% in May 2008 to 11% in March In those difficult economic times, City of 9.1% St. Catharines is committed to pursuing 8.0% 6.0% 7.6% 6.9% 6.0% 6.3% 7.2% 6.7% 7.4% 7.0% 7.1% 6.6% 7.7% innovative approaches to economic development that diversify the City s economic base and offer residents new opportunities. 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Source: Statistics Canada, March 2010 The City s strategy involves building on existing assets while pursuing creative industries and technologies that allow St. Catharines to compete on a global stage. The growth of the information and communications technology sector has been harnessed to produce positive developments in St. Catharines over the past years. City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

27 AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY CENSUS METROPOLITAN AREA 14.0% 12.2% 12.0% 11.0% 10.3% 10.0% 9.4% 9.3% 9.8% 8.8% 8.0% 8.2% 7.9% 6.0% 6.1% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% CANADA Ontario Ottawa Kingston Oshawa Toronto Hamilton St. Catharines London Windsor Kitchener Source: Statistics Canada, March 2010 City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

28 OCCUPATIONS BY MAJOR GROUPS Occupations unique to primary industry 1,965 (3%) Occupations unique to processing; manufacturing & utilities 4,485 (7%) Management occupations 5,725 (8%) Business; finance & administration occupations 11,045 (16%) Trades; transport & equipment operators; related occupations 9,755 (14%) Natural & applied sciences; related occupations 3,255 (5%) Health occupations 4,080 (6%) Sales & service occupations 19,855 (29%) Source: Statistics Canada; 2006 Census of Population Occupations in art; culture; recreation & sport 1,830 (3%) Occupations in social science; education; government service & religion 5,785 (9%) City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

29 INDUSTRY PROFILE OF ST. CATHARINES Other services Business services Educational services Health care and social services Finance and real estate Male Female Retail trade Wholesale trade Manufacturing industries ies Construction industries Agriculture and other resource-based industries 0 2, , , ,000 10, , , ,000 Source: Statistics Canada; 2006 Census of Population p a t i on City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

30 MAJOR EMPLOYERS RANK NAME SECTOR EMPLOYEES 1 District School Board of Niagara Public School Board 4,734 2 Niagara Health System Hospital 4,200 3 General Motors of Canada Limited Manufacturing 2,000 4 Seaway Marine Transport Inc. Service 1,800 5 Brock University University 1,784 6 Algoma Central Corporation Service 1,300 7 SITEL Service 1,100 8 Niagara Regional Police Services Police Services 1,076 9 City of St. Catharines Municipal Government Ontario Ministry of Transportation Provincial Ministry Transcom WorldWide Service TRW Canada Ltd. Manufacturing 425 Source: Niagara Economic Development Corporation City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

31 EDUCATION E lementary & Secondary DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA 191 Carlton Street St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 Ph: (905) Fax: (905) NIAGARA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 427 Rice Road Welland, ON, L3C 7C1 Ph: (905) Fax: (905) P ost-secondary I nstitutions BROCK UNIVERSITY 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1 Ph: (905) NIAGARA COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS & TECHNOLOGY P.O. Box Woodlawn Road Welland, ON L3C 7L3 Welland Campus - (905) St. Catharines Campus - (905) Niagara Falls Campus - (905) Grimsby Campus - (905) City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

32 E ducation Statistics EDUCATION LEVELS OF ST. CATHARINES LABOUR FORCE Global competitiveness and the general economic health of a community can be directly linked to the standards of education & the work skills of the local labour force. With this in mind, it is clear that St. Catharines has a definite advantage. University certificate; diploma or degree 16,750 15% No certificate; diploma or degree 24,990 23% Brock University & Niagara College are both very successful and outward-looking educational institutions, which are establishing more and more positive links with the dynamic business community. These links mean a more appropriately educated labour force, which can respond more quickly to the ever-changing needs of local employers. Examples of these effective links include such programs as Brock University s degree program in viticulture, and Niagara College s courses in call centre management and international trade. All of these programs, as well as many others, are directly responding to local needs. In addition to our college and university, St. Catharines has many private schools and adult education opportunities. College; CEGEP ther non-university certificate or diploma 20,970 19% University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level 3,230 3% Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 10,430 10% High school certificate or equivalent 32,210 30% City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

33 EDUCATION LEVELS OF ST. CATHARINES COMPARED BY SEX & GENDER University certificate; diploma or degree University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level College; CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma High school certificate or equivalent No certificate; diploma or degree 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 Population aged (Male) Population aged (Male) Population aged (Male) Population aged (Female) Population aged (Female) Population aged (Female) City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Toursm Services - Community Profile 2010

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35 POSSIBILITIES

36 CONTENT MARKET PROFILE...3 Development Contacts...5 Development Activity...6 Industrial Sites...8 Commercial Sites...9

37 MARKET PROFILE $1,200,000 HOUSING PRICES COMPARED In addition to the strategic location, diverse economy, and natural beauty of the area, St. Catharines offers another tremendous benefit. The cost of living in St. Catharines is significantly less expensive than other areas along the Golden Horseshoe. More specifically, as the following charts reveal, housing costs are much more affordable. $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $0 Grimsby Kitchener London St. Catharines Burlington Midtown Toronto Mississauga North Toronto Oakville City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

38 350,000 AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES IN ST. CATHARINES 300, , , , ,000 50, Detached Bungalow Executive Detached 2-storey Standard 2-storey Standard Townhouse Luxury Condominium Apartment City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

39 D evelopment Contacts SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE The center offers a one-stop shop of resources and guidance for small businesses. Enterprise Centre St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services One St. Paul Street, Unit 10 St. Catharines, ON, L2R 7C2 Tel: , Ext NIAGARA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NEDCO) Site selection information for businesses expanding or relocating to the Niagara Region Statistical and market data on Niagara s economy Indicators, manufacturing/service business contacts, human resource / training support Business Assistance Program Information and support Destination Marketing including coordinating co-operative marketing programs for the tourism industry. Niagara Economic Development Corporation Phone: (905) NIAGARA COLLEGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE The Centre is a full service business development support centre providing guidance to help entrepreneurs create their new ventures. Services provided include training, consulting services, networking, seminars and workshops, and market research. Niagara College Business Development Centre Phone: (905) BROCK MBA BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICE The Brock MBA Business Consulting Service employs MBA candidates from the Brock University MBA Program. The consultants provide a high degree of professionalism and a range of business experience to help cost-effectively solve business-related problems. Brock MBA Business Consulting Service Taro Hall, Room 362, 500 Glenridge Avenue St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1 Phone: (905) ext bcs@brocku.ca BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA Provides flexible financial services including farm loans, small venture loans and working capital to qualified applicants, as well as other management services related to counselling and planning. Business Development Bank of Canada Phone: (905) THE CANADA COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLAN An innovative, community-based programme to help small businesses with the potential for growth gain access to risk capital and in turn generate economic prosperity. The programme is geared towards small to medium enterprises with high growth potential, requiring risk capital over $50,000, or other related financial services. The Niagara Enterprise Agency (905) or City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

40 D evelopment Activity TOTAL BUILDING PERMITS Total permit values in 2009 increased to $141,468,852. The largest portion (53%) of the building permits was in the institutional sector, followed by the residential (24%), commercial (17%), and industrial (5%) sectors. $80,000,000 $70,000,000 $60,000,000 $50,000,000 $40,000,000 $30,000,000 $20,000, $10,000, $ Commercial Industrial Institutional Residential City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

41 BUILDING PERMIT VALUES Top Commercial Developments Include: Top Industrial Development Projects Include: 2009 Addition to Walmart at 420 Vansicle Road, $8,000,000 Storage Construction at 383 Lake Street, $3,000,000 Construction of new Sobeys at 343 Glendale Avenue, $2,500,000 Manufacturing Plant Construction at 60 Benfield Drive, $1,200,000 Renovation of MTO Building at 301 St. Paul Street, $1,200,000 Manufacturing Plant Renovation at 87 Grantham Avenue, $515, Construction of new Shoppers Drug Mart at 275 Fourth Avenue, $1,250,000 Manufacturing Plant Addition at 76 Ridley Road, $900,000 Construction of an addition at 275 Fourth Avenue, $1,100,000 Warehouse Addition at 10 Grote Street, $500,000 Interior alteration for Toys R Us at 87 Meadowvale DriveUnit, $700,000 Manufacturing Plant Addition at 23 Smith Street, $400, New office building at 25 Corporate Park Drive, $4,770,000 Addition to repair garage facilities at 383 Lake Street, $1,900,000 Honda Dealership at 308 Lake Street, $2,500,000 Warehouse construction at 47 Commerce Place, $900,000 New medical offices at 100 Martindale Road, $1,500,000 Addition to automotive warehouse facilities at 79 Hartzel Road, $800, New stores at 275 Fourth Avenue, $5,630,000 General Motors, 570 Glendale Avenue, Interior Alterations, $2,500,000 Additions & renovations for the Pen Centre, $3,600,000 Bunting Industrial Park, 27 Seapark Drive Warehouse Construction, $1,800,000 New Mazda & Nissan dealerships, $1,800,000 each Sewage Treatment Processing Plant Renovation & Expansion, $1,341, Home Outfitters and Designer Depot, $5,300,000 New Light Industrial Building, 271 Ridley Road West, $1,100,000 Canadian Tire Financial Call Centre, $ 1,000,000 New Light Industrial Building, 67 Commerce Place, New Warehouses, $500,000 Sportchek, $600,000 Industrial Space, 2032 First Street, Alteration & Renovation, $500, Zehrs Super Store, $6,500,000 New Light Industrial Building, 30 Hannover Drive, $1,400,000 Pen Centre (new mercantile space, east of Zehrs) $3,900,000 Commercial Space, 1703 South Service Road, $1,100,000 Shoppers Drug Mart (Hartzel Road), $1,000,000 Commercial Space, 612 Welland Avenue, New Addition, $1,000, Best Buy, $3,000, Ridley Road, New Addition, $1,600,000 Pontiac Dealership, $3,000,000 Niagara Metal Finishers and Supply Inc., $700,000 Costco, $2,400,000 Winery, New Addition, $700, New office building at 20 Corporate Park Dr., $3,900, Ridley Road, New Addition, $2,000,000 First Pro Garden City, $1,750,000 Industrial Space, 21 Keefer Rdoad New Addition, $650,000 Sitel Technologies, $1,500,000 St. Catharines Hydro Utility, 340 Vansickle Road, $510,000 City of St. Catharines Economic Development & Tourism Services - Community Profile 2010

42 Industrial Sites St. Catharines has approximately 81.2 acres of available zoned industrial land. Parcels of one acre or more are available at a relatively inexpensive price, when comparing cities of similar size around the Golden Horseshoe. C i t y o f St. C at h a r i n e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t & To u r i s m S e r v i c e s - C o m m u n i t y P r o f i l e

43 Commercial Sites St. Catharines has an ample supply of modern, state-of-the-art office and retail space within the downtown core. Prestige office space is also available in several new business parks. A commercial space inventory is available on request. C i t y o f St. C at h a r i n e s E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t & To u r i s m S e r v i c e s - C o m m u n i t y P r o f i l e

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45 Economic Development & Tourism Services City of St. Catharines P.O. Box 3012, 50 Church Street St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7C2 Phone: x 1760 Fax:

46 All photographs by Chris Beard