Why St. Catharines is the Place to Invest, and Why Now is the Time
For businesses and developers looking to grow in Ontario, the question isn’t if you should consider St. Catharines, it’s why wouldn’t you? As the largest city in Niagara and a hub of culture, innovation, and growth, St. Catharines offers an unmatched combination of location, incentives, and lifestyle. And with new programs and infrastructure momentum aligning, now is the perfect time to make your move.
A Strategic Location with Growing Connectivity
St. Catharines is located just 112 km from Toronto and only 20 km from the U.S. border. That means businesses here have direct access to a regional market of nearly 10 million people within a 100-mile radius.
Connectivity is also improving rapidly. With daily GO Transit service and expanded regional bus links, the city is already connected to the Greater Toronto Area. With provincial plans to increase GO rail service into Niagara, the accessibility will only grow stronger.
Anticipated for early 2026, a new hovercraft service will connect St. Catharines and Toronto with the first cross-lake rapid transit route of its kind. Operated by Hoverlink Inc., the service will offer dozens of 30-minute trips daily, increasing access to Niagara, and St. Catharines specifically, while providing an eco-friendly, year-round transportation option that helps ease highway congestion.
A City on the Rise
Downtown St. Catharines has undergone a cultural and economic renaissance over the last decade. More than $350 million of public and private investment has surged new development, more than $200 million of that going directly into residential units. Daily foot traffic downtown see’s 12,000 residents, workers, and students. Cultural anchors like the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, alongside independent restaurants, creative spaces, and local businesses, have transformed the downtown core into a vibrant, thriving district.
Developers and entrepreneurs entering now are part of a wave of growth that is reshaping the city’s urban core.
Financial Incentives Designed for Growth
St. Catharines isn’t just welcoming investment; it’s actively making it easier and more affordable to build and grow here. Current incentives include:
Community Improvement Plan (CIP):
· Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Up to 45% rebate on municipal tax increases for 10 years.
· Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Program: Up to 80% rebate on property tax increase for 10 years.
· Brownfield Tax Assistance: Financial incentives to offset the cost of environmental site remediation, up to 100% rebate on city taxes for 3 years.
· Façade Improvement Grant: Up to 50% of costs, to a maximum of $10,000.
New Downtown Forgivable Loan Program (DFLP):
· Pending council approval (August 2025), this program will offer interest-free, forgivable loans of up to $100,000 per property for new residential units, with an additional $50,000 available for barrier-free housing components.
Housing Accelerator Fund Programs:
The City of St. Catharines secured an investment of $25.7 million to boost housing supply in the city. The funding is through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4 billion initiative that offers financial support to local governments for expediting the development of new homes. Combined with regional incentives across Niagara, these programs lower barriers and increase ROI for businesses and developers ready to seize the opportunity.
A Talent Pipeline and Lifestyle Advantage
St. Catharines is home to Brock University, a research-intensive institution with over 19,000 students, strong co-op programs, and nationally recognized research. Also nearby is Niagara College, which is recognized for its applied learning and industry partnerships, with graduates frequently launching startups or joining local companies. Together, these institutions provide businesses with access to a steady pipeline of skilled graduates and research partnerships.
But talent isn’t just attracted by opportunity, it’s attracted by lifestyle. Known as “The Garden City,” St. Catharines offers abundant green space and natural splendour, a thriving arts and culinary scene, and proximity to Niagara’s renowned wine country. For employees and executives alike, it’s a place where quality of life matches professional opportunity.
St. Catharines' 2024-2029 Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
The City of St. Catharines is committed to ensuring that today’s opportunities create lasting impact for tomorrow. Our 2024–2029 Economic Development and Tourism Strategy sets a bold vision for a vibrant, diverse, and economically resilient city.
Key priorities include:
· Driving sustainable economic growth through investment attraction, support for entrepreneurs, and partnerships that strengthen our local economy.
· Accelerating housing and development by reducing barriers, creating incentive programs, and enabling smart growth in our urban core.
· Building a connected and accessible city with improved transit options, including expanded GO rail service and innovative cross-lake connections.
· Enhancing quality of life through cultural investment, green spaces, and community-driven projects that make St. Catharines an attractive place to live and work.
For businesses and developers, this means every investment is supported not only by immediate financial incentives but also by a long-term, city-wide strategy designed to maximize growth and prosperity.
Why Now is the Right Time
There has never been a better moment to invest in St. Catharines:
1. Incentives are at their peak: With new programs launching and some scheduled to expire, acting now ensures you can access maximum savings.
2. Momentum is real: Downtown revitalization and new residential and commercial projects are actively transforming the city.
3. Infrastructure growth is coming: Planned GO rail expansion and enhanced regional transit are opening the door to even greater connectivity.
Together, these factors make this a rare window where municipal policy, financial programs, and community momentum are all aligned. Whether you’re a business leader looking for a strategic location or a developer ready to shape a growing downtown, St. Catharines offers the opportunity and the timing for success.
Now is the time. St. Catharines is the place.
Learn more about incentives, opportunities, and how we can support your next project by connecting with our Economic Development team today.