In this edition:
- Welland ‘growth spurt’ means ward boundaries must change, says consultant
- St. Catharines will not allow online voting in 2026
- Allie Hughes named 2025 United Way Niagara campaign chair
- Grimsby inaugurates members of the Business Ambassador Program
- Competition Bureau seeks feedback on algorithmic pricing and competition
- Ontario announces program to grow hydrogen energy sector
- Focus on Tourism
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Picture credit: Harold Stiver / Adobe Stock
Welland ‘growth spurt’ means ward boundaries must change, says consultant
Welland’s ward boundaries no longer reflect the city’s population growth, city councillors heard last week during an update on a boundary review.
“You were well served by the wards you have for a long time, but wards are very much like buying clothes for kids,” said StrategyCorp Inc.’s Sabine Matheson. “They are not meant to last through phases and spurts of growth.
Picture credit: City of St. Catharines
St. Catharines will not allow online voting in 2026
St. Catharines City Councillors have turned down internet voting for the next municipal election. Mail-in ballots will remain the only option for those that cannot get out to vote on election day or the advance polls.
Picture credit: Brad Demers / Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Allie Hughes named 2025 United Way Niagara campaign chair
United Way Niagara is excited to announce that Allie Hughes, Founder and CEO of Hughes&Co, will be a part of the 2025 campaign as Campaign Chair.
“At Hughes&Co, we love working with organizations who have a local mission. I am proud to live and work in Niagara and thrilled to take on the role of Campaign Chair, helping United Way make a difference right here in Niagara,” said Hughes.
Picture credit: Town of Grimsby / supplied
Grimsby inaugurates members of the Business Ambassador Program
The Town of Grimsby, through its Economic Development Advisory Committee (GEDAC), is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Grimsby Business Ambassador Program (GBAP). This volunteer-driven initiative is aimed at strengthening the local economy by leveraging the expertise, influence, and networks of distinguished business leaders within the community.
Photo credit: tippapatt / Adobe Stock
Competition Bureau seeks feedback on algorithmic pricing and competition
Algorithmic pricing is on the rise worldwide. In sectors ranging from hospitality to concert tickets to ridesharing, businesses are using algorithms to guide pricing strategies for their products or services. Those with experience with algorithmic pricing and its potential impacts on competition are invited to provide feedback on these issues or to bring other related issues to the Bureau’s attention.
Feedback can be submitted until July 22 through the Bureau’s online feedback form, or by mail.
Picture credit: malp / Adobe Stock
Ontario announces program to grow hydrogen energy sector
Today, the Ontario government announced its plans to expand the province’s hydrogen energy advantage. Accelerating the growth of Ontario’s low-carbon hydrogen sector is part of the government’s plan for an integrated energy plan that will meet the province’s growing electricity needs and strengthen Ontario’s long-term energy security.
New measures to be taken include creating a new Hydrogen Interruptible Rate Pilot, exploring options to regulate hydrogen pipelines, and expanding the Hydrogen Innovation Fund.
Focus on Tourism
Looking to see world-class theatre this summer? Niagara has it
You’ve seen the falls. You’ve hit the casino. You’ve walked up and down Clifton Hill. A typical vacation day in Niagara Falls, for many.
But just north via Niagara Parkway, a whole other experience awaits.
Visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake isn’t just a scenic feast, it’s also a chance to visit one of the top theatres in North America, if not the world. Shaw Festival has been a mainstay in town since 1962 and has grown into a cultural force in the region, generating about $220 million annually for the tourism economy.
What to expect if it’s your first visit? Plenty. And it’s not just theatre.
Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
