Chew's News

Last night's city council meeting in St. Catharines brought good news for three large-scale commercial development projects. This news comes after a year of concern over the tabling and subsequent re-establishment of the city's CIP programs.

Two of the major projects awarded had stalled their plans for development earlier in 2015 when St. Catharines Community Improvement Plan did not allocate funds for new applicants. CIPS are incredibly attractive incentives that have helped to revitalize many areas within St. Catharines, developers see an increased economic feasibility in their development with the tax sharing rewards of such programs.

Estimated reading times: 3 minutes 

Late last week, I attended a regional presentation on Niagara’s Economic Gateway Incentive Program.

The program was developed to leverage Niagara’s economic zone designation under the Provincial Growth Plan. Through the program areas within Niagara that are considered of “unique economic importance” now fall under the Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Gateway Economic Centre. The Gateway CIP then offers incentives for development and redevelopment within this strategic area.

There are two programs available through the Gateway CIP as outlined below:

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

In November of 2014, the City of St. Catharines approved a new Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The plan introduced new financial programs as well as a new evaluation system, but the city's budget did not provide funding for any of the programs.

When the CIP program was put on pause earlier this year, city planners and council went back to the drawing board to find a new formula for their CIP funding process. While the new funding process has yet to be revealed, last week to the city announced it would now start accepting applications for 2016, under it’s 2015 incentive program model.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes 

I have covered commercial and industrial activity in Welland a number of times on this blog, including the vast potential along it's water ways here and a look at the brownfield land and incentives availble to investors here. Late last week the Welland Tribune ran an article reaffirming much of the confidence I had earlier expressed about facets of the cities Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The article disclosed that applications for Welland's CIP's particularly it's Downtown and Health and Wellness Cluster CIP had taken off and that the demand had exceeded the budgeted funds. This continued commercial confidence in downtown Welland and the health and wellness areas is just another reason for investors to continue to look to Welland for development. 

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 

It has been well documented in the business and commercial real estate communities, that downtown St. Catharines is in the midst of a revitalization. Large commercial projects including the Meridian Centre, the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre and the Marilyn L. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts have initiated a ripple effect of change in the core. Older buildings are experiencing revitalization and redevelopment and a overall community confidence in the area has returned. Over the next two years, downtown is set up to welcome many new commercial and residential tenants from new commercial real estate investment. Making now, the time to invest in the area.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 

Community Improvement Plans (CIP) provide a variety of financial incentive programs to encourage development/redevelopment in key areas. As part of an ongoing series, I will be assessing the CIPs of specific areas within the Greater Horseshoe.

Last November, the Town of Lincoln adopted a Community Improvement Plan, that focuses on revitalizing Vineland’s commercial core. The Vineland Central Business District Community Improvement Plan (CIP), looks to follow in the success of Beamsville's commercial district revitalization plan.

While Vineland’s commercial core is relatively small, it does include various restaurants, offices, entertainment, residential and commercial retail spaces. The area is zoned to accommodate other commercial uses including hotels and commercial recreational facilities.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Community Improvement Plans (CIP) provide a variety of financial incentive programs to encourage redevelopment in key areas. As part of an ongoing series, I will be assessing the CIPs of specific areas within the Greater Horseshoe. Today, I will be focusing on Brownfield sites in Port Colborne.

The City of Port Colborne, in recent years, has taken on a variety of incentive programs in order to promote economic growth and invement within the city. With heavy focus on the manufacturing and logisitcs sectors, the City offers: Brownfield CIPs, an Industrial CIPs and the Niagara Gateway Economic Zone and Centre CIPs. 

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

image courtesty of Niagara Region

The Niagara Gateway Economic Zone Centre Community Incentive Plan (CIP) was developed through the Region of Niagara to encourage the private sector development and redevelopment of Niagara’s employment lands. The Gateway centre includes the municipalities of Fort Erie, Welland, Port Colborne, Thorold and Niagara Falls. The cities were strategically identified for their advantageous multimodal transportation networks that provides access to water, rail and road.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The Canadian Motor Speedway scored major financial backing opportunities this week from the region of Niagara. This is the first form of measurable support that the Niagara regional has thrown behind the CMS despite the fact that the speedway is an incredible commercial investment for the City of Fort Erie.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

image courtesty of Niagara Falls Review

Community Improvement Plans (CIP) provide a variety of financial incentive programs to encourage development/redevelopment in key areas. As part of an ongoing series, I will be assessing the CIPs of specific areas within the Greater Horseshoe.

The focus of CIPs in Niagara Falls includes the downtown core, historic Drummondville, and brownfield areas. Today, I will focus on the revitalization efforts for downtown Niagara Falls, as it possesses a long-term opportunity to enhance the commercial character of the City.