In this edition:
- Niagara Transit receives $128M infusion from federal, provincial, and regional governments
- Niagara designated one of Canada’s Best Locations
- New ward boundaries set for Welland’s next two municipal elections
- HOPA Ports and BMI Group renew partnership after award-winning brownfield transformation
- Competition Bureau to study competition in financing for SMEs
- Focus on Human Resources
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Picture credit: Niagara Transit
Niagara Transit receives $128M infusion from federal, provincial, and regional governments
Niagara Transit is receiving a major investment of more than $128 million from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and Niagara Region to refresh its transit fleet and improve public transit services.
This funding will be used to purchase 124 conventional diesel buses to replace Niagara Transit vehicles that have reached the end of their life, supporting a modern, more convenient experience for commuters.
Niagara Region Director of Economic Development George Spezza | Picture credit: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Niagara designated one of Canada’s Best Locations
Canada’s Best Locations honours the top 20 regional or metro economic development organizations and their constituent communities. In 2025, Niagara received a nod for major developments like Asahi Kesai, Schenck Farms & Greenhouses, Holland Power Services, Airbus Helicopters, and more.
Picture credit: StrategyCorp / City of Welland
New ward boundaries set for Welland’s next two municipal elections
Welland City Council has approved new ward boundaries that will be used in the 2026 and 2030 municipal elections. The updated map, shown above, was recommended by independent consultants StrategyCorp following a city-wide Ward Boundary Review.
Photo credit: HOPA Ports
HOPA Ports and BMI Group renew partnership after award-winning brownfield transformation
HOPA Ports and The BMI Group have renewed their strategic partnership, building on a proven model that has transformed one of Ontario’s largest brownfield sites into a nationally recognized industrial hub.
Launched in 2019 under the Niagara Ports banner, The BMI Group transformed the former Norampac paper mill in Thorold, Ontario into the Bioveld Niagara Multimodal Hub — a 600+ acre, multimodal-served industrial complex now home to more than 30 tenants in manufacturing, clean energy, and logistics.
Picture credit: Andrey Popov / Adobe Stock
Competition Bureau to study competition in financing for Canada’s small and medium businesses
Recent studies and observations have raised concerns about competition in the lending sector, including domination by big banks, barriers to new and smaller lenders, challenges in comparing loan options, and higher borrowing costs for SMEs.
As a first step in addressing these identified issues, the Bureau is inviting interested parties to review its consultation paper and share their views on the proposed terms of reference for the market study by October 3, 2025.
Focus on Human Resources
Quiet offices becoming the latest tenant amenity
John Bleasby, Daily Commercial News
As more companies direct employees away from remote work and back to the office, a quality workplace experience becomes important. The ability to avoid distractions from ambient or exterior noise and sounds can improve productivity and focus, reduce stress and fatigue, and ensure privacy during key personal interactions.
“Noise puts the entire nervous system into a state of acute alertness,” says sound insulation company Acoustical Surfaces Inc.
In addition to productivity loss, noise exposure has been linked to extra-auditory effects including increased stress, sleeping disorders, hypertension and heart disease.
Although improved operational energy efficiency and interior air quality are key motivators for renovating or retrofitting an existing commercial space, engineers should also take acoustics and soundproofing into account. Relatively simple measures such as acoustic panels in walls and on ceilings can be effective and relatively economical to install.
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.
