Investment Strengths

Niagara Falls businesses have the opportunity to serve 56 per cent of the industrial North American marketplace and offer direct business opportunities to a market area of 125 million people.

Location

Situated between two Great Lakes, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (see Map) is a "Gateway" to the North American marketplace

Quick Demographics

	Niagara Falls	Niagara Region
Population (2006 Census)	82,814	427,421
Males/Females Employed in the Labour Force(2006 Census)	45,457*	209,276*
Average Household Income (Canadian Demographics 2007*)	$62,200	$63,100
Minimum Wage (General Hourly Rate)	$10.25	$10.25
Minimum Wage (Ontario rate for students under 18 years old)	$9.60	$9.60
Minimum Wage (Ontario Rate for employees serving liquor on licensed premises)	$8.90	$8.90
All Figures in Canadian Dollars
Primary Source: Statistics Canada - 2006 Census and Human Resources Development Canada Secondary Source: (*) Financial Post - Canadian Demographics 2007

For further information on population statistics visit the Tourism and Economic Stats page.

Unemployment Rates

Average Annual Percentage - St. Catharines / Niagara CMA

Market Area / Transportation Routes

Niagara Falls businesses have the opportunity to serve 56 per cent of the industrial North American marketplace and offer direct business opportunities to a market area of 125 million people.

Niagara's 4 international bridges are the busiest border crossings between the United States and Canada, accounting for 40 percent of all bridge crossings from Canada to the U.S.

Linked to the world by our transportation routes, state-of-the- art communication technologies, and our diverse cultural roots, Niagara Falls is strategically located in the heart of the most affluent consumer market in the world.

Commercial and consumer travellers in Niagara may take advantage of utilizing an integrated transportation system that is second to none. A business located in Niagara Falls has access to four Canada/U.S. border crossings and the St. Lawrence Seaway water transportation system. Further, the Queen Elizabeth Highway (Q.E.W.) is Niagara's connecting junction to all major 400 routes, Trans-Canada Highway and U.S. state and interstate highways.

Distance / Times to Selected Major Urban Centres

City	Kilometres	Miles	Driving Time
Toronto	111	69	1 hour
Ottawa	507	315	6 hours
Montreal	689	428	7.5 hours
Quebec City	961	597	11 hours
Buffalo NY	30	18	30 minutes
Detroit MI	367	228	4.5 hours
New York NY	761	473	8 hours
Boston MA	808	502	8.5 hours
Washington D.C.	819	509	9 hours
Baltimore MD	829	515	9 hours
Chicago Il	843	524	9.5 hours
Source: Niagara Falls Stats and Facts

New Transportation Construction Sites

Transportation construction is occurring throughout the region to accommodate the increase of traffic flows. Two major projects; the widening of the Q.E.W. or the proposed development of the Mid Peninsula Corridor and the twinning of the Peace Bridge are expected to position Niagara Falls for further expansion of commercial and tourist traffic. Such renovation to Niagara's infrastructure reflects the positive growth which is occurring across all economic sectors.

Supplier Networks

There is an established supplier network in Niagara that enables businesses to source their supplies and to have them deliver, orders with utmost punctuality.

In the Niagara Region there is 13,000 manufacturers, suppliers and service businesses.

Economic stability is derived by the diverse roster of businesses located in Niagara Falls. Tourism is the leading economic sector, Casino gaming manufacturing accounts for 22% of the City's economic base and 33% is from the government/professional service sectors.

Sector Strengths:

• Tourism Developments/Casino Niagara
• Manufacturing base in automotive parts, food processing, winery/brewery, chemicals, abrasives, metal fabrication and machining
• Professional Services, Engineering, Environmental, Lawyers, Accountants, Real Estate, Financial Institutions etc.
• Retail, neighbourhood, regional shopping malls, factory outlets

For further info refer to the Community of Choice Brochure.

Access to International Markets and World-wide Name Recognition

1. Unparalleled access to worldwide markets due to cultural makeup, international trade agreements, proximity, transportation routes and corridors, and world-wide name recognition - "The World's Most Famous Address"
2. Access to world's richest market -North America - through international bridges in Niagara
3. The North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) eliminates expensive tariffs to the U.S., Mexico and, potentially, to dynamic South American markets (e.g., Chile accession to NAFTA)
4. Unique access to fast-growing Asian economies, especially through tourism development
5. Strong historical trade ties with Europe
6. International trade in goods and services represent almost 74% of the economic output of Canada - more than in any other G-7 country.

Low Cost Business Environment

1. Superior Quality Workforce: Canada puts priority on developing knowledge workers - ranked first in G-7, according to the Global Competitiveness Report (1996):
• The highest rate of post-secondary enrollment in the world
• The highest level of computer literacy among employees in the G-7
2. Productive Workers: Massive business restructuring and record investment in machinery and equipment have produced strong gains in productivity across Canada
3. Low wage increases and low labour costs, e.g. Canada has the second lowest manufacturing labour costs in the G-7
4. Good Business/Labour Relations
5. Competitive economy due to productivity growth, skilled workers and low labour costs
6. Competitive Corporate Taxes
7. Low Payroll Taxes
8. Low Research and Development Costs
9. Quality Universal Low-Cost Health Care
10. Competitive Infrastructure Costs, see Community Profile
11. Best Transportation Infrastructure: Canada's transportation infrastructure is ranked first in the world according to the Global Competitiveness Report (1996)
12. With 30 million people, we have:
• 850,000 km road system
• 91,000 km of railway track
• 100,000 km of pipelines
• Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic ports
• 9 international airports
• 156 Canada-U.S. border crossings
13. Leading Edge Telecommunications Infrastructure: Canada is the world-leader in Telecompetitiveness based on a 1994 survey of Canada, Japan, the U.S., France, the U.K. and Germany.

Excellent Economic Fundamentals

1. Government Restructuring:
• The federal government is rapidly achieving deficit reduction through downsizing government, not tax increases.
• This past fiscal year, the ratio of federal borrowing-to-GDP will be 1.7%; the lowest among the G-7.
• Borrowings are expected to drop to 0.7% of GDP in 1997-98, and a surplus is expected by 1998-99.
2. Low Inflation:
• Over the past four years, Canadian inflation averaged 1.5% - one of the lowest rates in the world. Over this period, Canada's inflation rate has averaged more than 1% lower than the U.S.
3. Strong Confidence in the Future:
• Canada's low deficit and low inflation are reflected in the differential between Canadian and U.S. interest rates.
• Canadian short-term interest rates are now more than 200 basis points lower than comparable U.S. rates.
4. Positive Business Environment:
• Civil institutions achieve a good balance between protecting the rights of the public and creating an environment conducive to business and entrepreneurship - first in G-7 according to the World Competitiveness Report.
• For example, Canada's legal environment and practices are less litigious than those of the U.S. - tort costs second only to Japan among the G-7.
• Companies enjoy a great deal of public trust in Canada.
5. Flexible and Growing Domestic Economy:
   • The OECD predicts that Canada will steadily grow by 3.3% in 1997 and 1998 - the best two-year performance among the G-7.
6. Best Quality of Life:
• Canada ranks first for the second consecutive year on the UN Human Development Index.
• Canadian advantages include:
• high educational enrollment levels
• high-quality, low-cost education
• universal health care
• clean, safe cosmopolitan cities
• diverse cultural and recreational amenities

Quality of life has become an issue for business development, preservation and growth; provided commuters have access to efficient communication and transportation links to larger metropolitan areas. Niagara Falls provides businesses with easy access to large metropolitan centres and at the same time provides a lifestyle that is the envy of many Canadian and U.S. cities and towns.

Economic Strengths

Canada Ranks High in Global Competitiveness

Canada's national newspaper, The Globe & Mail, reported on May 22, 1997 that, "Canada's fourth-place performance (among 53 countries) on the economic score card known as the Global Competitiveness Report is a nice pat on the back for the people and firms that have struggled to get the country into shape." The editorial went on to state, "For the most part, Canada owes its top-notch score to the quality of business management and the overall vitality of its financial markets. Canada rates highly in its application of technology, too."

This placement reflects the reality of the business sector across the country, especially in Niagara Falls. Business, community and government leaders in Niagara Falls will concur that this success is due, in part, to a renewed sense of vigour in Ontario's business community and capital markets. They will further acknowledge that the recent revitalization of the business community within many Ontario cities, especially Niagara Falls, is a foothold and catalyst toward new development, expansion and preservation of businesses in the City.

Advanced and Dynamic Provincial Economy

Ontario has one of the most advanced and dynamic economies in the world. Much of that dynamism is linked to international investment. About 20 per cent of the GDP of $242 billion is generated by the local operations of multinational corporations. These concerns are active in such high-tech, high-skill, high value-added, high-wage sectors as aerospace, agrifood, automotive, health sciences, chemical forest products, information technology, machinery, plastics, and mineral development. They bring important technology and management capacity to the Ontario economy. They are a major presence in Ontario's trade story.

In a consolidating world-wide economy, they are among the organizations that hold key global product mandates and are well positioned to secure new ones. In short, they are central in Ontario's economic future and the well-being of its people.

The Government of Ontario and key business leaders understand that competition for investment dollars has increased dramatically. Many other provincial and U.S. border states have launched sophisticated marketing strategies to pursue international business.

Market Ontario is a unique and outstanding opportunity for the province, the community, other levels of government and economic development agencies to come together in virtual partnerships during the last 18 months. Market Ontario is implementing major changes to create a positive business climate that will rival our competitors.

These changes, coupled with the province's historic strengths and attractions, has made Ontario more competitive than ever before. For more information on the Market Ontario partnership and its initiatives, please contact: The Ontario Investment Service Tel: 1-800-819-8701 For important information on Ontario's Research & Development Environment, Cost Environment, Tax Environment, Labour Climate, Establishing A Business in Ontario, and Ontario's Markets, go to www.ontario-canada.com.

The City of Niagara Falls has joined the Market Ontario team in a partnership program to bolster investment and make the City a better place to conduct business for tourism, manufacturing, commercial, and professional services.

Catalysts For Growth

Tourism development and manufacturing are the staples of the Niagara Falls economy.

The most recent catalyst for the City has been the development of Ontario's most profitable casino, Casino Niagara. Employing 3,200 people, annual gross revenues expectations are $650 million. More than 24,700 people patronize the casino daily. Numbers of these proportion make it clear to see why so many Niagara Falls business and community leaders are excited about the future of the City.

The interim Casino Niagara development is catapulting the Region of Niagara into the 21st Century as "the" premiere tourist destination in North America.

The permanent Casino/Gateway Project operator and site plans are expected to be announced late in the summer of 1997 by the Ontario Casino Corporation. It is expected that the Casino/Gateway Project will take three years to be constructed while the interim Casino Niagara operation will continue to operate at the former Maple Leaf Village site.

The Project will include a world-class Casino Complex based in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario and one or more prestigious, first-class, year-round Tourist Attractors. The Casino Complex may offer a full range of dining, entertainment, shopping and related amenities in addition to the gaming activities. Upon completion, the Project will be a vital part of the community fabric.

The casino has been a great catalyst for spin-off tourism development. A Coopers & Lybrand Casino Impact Study reports an estimate of visitor spending outside of the casino to be $240 million annually.

Back on the Business Investment Map

Since 1996, there is a renewed excitement in the business community and a definite increase in requests for information about opening businesses. The Business Development Division reports an increase in requests from the international business community about the City and real estate development potential.

"We are back on the business investment map and the international business community is taking a good hard look at what we have to offer for new development and growth."

Other Major Economic Strengths

The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is one of the premiere visitor destinations in North America. The tourist season has been extended by Casino Niagara and new developments such as the NPC Butterfly Conservatory to provide a year round destination to 14 million people annually. Indicators suggest that both visitation numbers and length of stay in Niagara Falls will continue to increase over the next 5-10 year period.

Commercial and consumer travellers in Niagara may take advantage of utilizing an integrated transportation system that is second to none. A business located in Niagara Falls has access to four Canada/U.S. border crossings and the St. Lawrence Seaway water transportation system. Further, the Queen Elizabeth Highway (Q.E.W.) is Niagara's connecting junction to all major 400 routes, Trans-Canada Highway and U.S. interstates.

Barriers to trade are diminishing and Niagara Falls is developing a vital export economy. Proximity to the U.S. border has allowed many area companies to realize significant gains in export sales.

Within Niagara's manufacturing community, approximately 42 per cent of its products are exported, of which 80 per cent go to the United States. Statistics further reveal that 40 per cent of all border crossings to and from the U.S., are through the Region.

In fact, the Canada/U.S. market, within 240 kilometres of Niagara Falls, contributes significantly to the visitation and expenditures to the area.

The average household income within 150 kilometres of Niagara Falls ($68,991(Cdn $) in Ontario and $31,149 (US$) in New York) makes Niagara Falls a great place to develop retail and service-related businesses.

The Mayor, City Council and staff are committed to a pro-business partnership between the private sector and the City. One of City Hall's major goals is to provide an environment that is attractive and supportive to existing and new business opportunities.

The Niagara Falls manufacturing sector continues to make a substantial contribution to the wealth and prosperity of Niagara. Traditional industries have moved to computerized, highly-automated production lines attended and supervised by well-trained, efficient, productive unionized and non-unionized staffs.

Our niche products and services, from companies such as E.S. Fox, Kraft Foods, Day-Timers of Canada, Ltd., International Home Foods, Edscha of Canada, CYTEC, Acres International, Roman Cheese Products, Redpath Sugar, Vincor International and Conor Pacific Environmental Technologies Inc. (Arcturus Environmental Limited), are world-renowned for their high quality, variety and marketability.

Our economy is evolving toward the "New Economy" at an impressive rate. Information technologies, industrial automation and environmental industries are gestating into thriving national and international companies.

Private and public partnerships are actively pursuing initiatives to enhance local business development, and build upon strong community enthusiasm.

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