It’s still too soon to know how Niagara’s economy will be impacted as thousands of university and college students study from home instead of on campuses this year.

Both Brock University and Niagara College attract students from far and away but learning online can be done from anywhere. How many students from outside of Niagara will choose to return to the region or stay in their hometowns is still a question mark.

“Definitely, I think we can all agree it will be lower than it has been, but what that impact is right now I’m not sure,” said Tisha Polocko, executive director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association.