The new tool can be used by a prospective investors and entrepreneurs at niagaracanada.com.
Niagara Region has launched a new tool to promote economic development opportunities.
Launched on Aug. 15, “Niagara Signature Sites” is a new, innovative and interactive map that showcases industrial and commercial development opportunities throughout the Niagara region. The tool was rolled out by Niagara Region’s Economic Development Department.
Niagara Economic Development Director George Spezza touted the potential upsides of this new tool.
“Niagara Signature Sites represents a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to foster economic development and attract investment to the Niagara Region,” said Spezza. “This initiative is a testament to the collective spirit that characterizes our region, as we collaborate with our municipalities, the Niagara Region, and private sector partners to showcase the exceptional opportunities that await potential investors.”
The new map offers a comprehensive listing of industrial and commercial development and redevelopment properties that are currently available within the Niagara region, either for sale or for lease. These properties have been carefully selected according to a number of factors, including size, permitted uses and strategic location. The minimum size requirement for a property to be added to the map is 50 acres.
Regional staff are touting the user-friendly interface that comes along with the new development tool and its interactive map.
The new tool can be used by a prospective investors and entrepreneurs at niagaracanada.com. The resource, according to officials, will allow interested parties to gain important insights into showcased lands and take initial steps toward understanding their development potential.
“The Signature Sites tool provides potential investors with a window to view Niagara’s largest sites that are primed for industrial and commercial development, while also helping to kick start collaboration between the private sector and the Region and the local municipality,” said Regional Chair Jim Bradley. “We know that large-scale Signature Sites is an important part of the economic puzzle for both Niagara region and the province, and to this end we are pleased to launch such a powerful resource.”
Bradley pointed to the recent success of the Asahi Kasei announcement in Port Colborne as a testament to the importance of showcasing Niagara’s available large-scale sites.
In May, Asahi Kasei announced plans to invest $1.6 billion to build a new EV battery separator plant in Port Colborne. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford and Regional Chair Jim Bradley were all on hand for the announcement.
Regional staff are hopeful that by showcasing the Niagara region’s prime development sites through a user-friendly interface, other large companies will find opportunities to invest in the local economy in the way that Asahi Kasei did earlier this year.
Asahi Kasei is a Toyoko-based Japanese multinational corporation specializing in chemicals.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
