InvestinSTC

InvestinSTC St. Catharines Economic Development
Grow, Work & Live in STC 🌳 šŸ’¼ šŸ 

05/29/2026

Over the past month, we’ve taken a closer look at the story of St. Catharines; how it was built, how it has evolved, and how it continues to change with every generation.

From industry and innovation, to land, people, and ideas, each chapter has shown that progress here has always been a shared effort.

As we close out this extended reflection on Economic Development Week, we’re energized by the progress we’ve made and the momentum ahead - recognizing that building a strong, vibrant economy is a shared journey we continue to move forward together.

Watch the full video and see how St. Catharines’ story comes full circle: https://bit.ly/4tQ9NdW



International Economic Development Council
Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)

05/21/2026

Change has always been part of the story here.

With each generation comes a new vision, shaped by change and driven by opportunity. Businesses adapt, evolve, and grow, just as they always have. Necessity has long been the mother of invention, and that’s no different in St. Catharines today.

That spirit shows up in every corner of the community. In entrepreneurs opening new doors. Students bringing forward bold ideas. Visionaries shaping the skyline. Artists, volunteers, and problem-solvers strengthening what this city becomes next.

This is what has carried St. Catharines through every chapter of its 150-year story.



Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)
International Economic Development Council

05/19/2026

Economies change, and so do the ways people build within them.

In St. Catharines, that shift is visible everywhere. Traditional industry has evolved into advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, and globally connected agriculture. New ideas are taking shape in studios, small businesses, and growing companies across the city.

From waterfront to downtown, there’s a clear thread running through it all: people finding new ways to create, adapt, and grow here.

That’s the story of entrepreneurship in this city. 150 years in, that momentum is still going.



Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)
International Economic Development Council

Meet April and Bill Janzen - the owners of Lost 'n Found Yoga. 🧘 This welcoming, community-focused yoga and pilates stud...
05/14/2026

Meet April and Bill Janzen - the owners of Lost 'n Found Yoga. 🧘

This welcoming, community-focused yoga and pilates studio in St. Catharines supports people of all ages and abilities reach their lifestyle goals. Beyond the classes, April and Bill are deeply committed to both their clients and their team, becoming the first Living Wage employer in the yoga space in Ontario. šŸ‘

A graduate of the Starter Company Plus program (Fall 2017), April received a grant that built her confidence and strengthened her business skills, laying the foundation for continued success.

As we mark 150 years of St. Catharines, it’s a fitting reminder that the city has always been shaped by change and evolution. When St. Catharines was first founded, yoga wasn’t widely practiced in Canada - a simple example of how much can shift over time. It reflects the broader evolution of our culture and work, and how the jobs of tomorrow may not even be defined yet.

Thank you again to April and Bill for having our team stop by, and to Mayor Mat Siscoe for joining us.

05/13/2026

Everything here starts with the land.

It’s the common ground that has carried generations forward, from the Indigenous peoples who first cared for it, to the routes of the Underground Railroad, to the communities that grew and settled here over time.

And it’s still shaping daily life today through the waterways, the green spaces, and the agricultural land that continue to sustain this region.

Over 150 years, St. Catharines has been shaped by what’s here, and by those who came before us.

Rooted in this place, we build what comes next.



Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)
International Economic Development Council

Meet the team behind All Figure šŸ¤Founded by Karina and Iwona Nowysz in 2020, All Figure is a body-positive lingerie and ...
05/12/2026

Meet the team behind All Figure šŸ¤

Founded by Karina and Iwona Nowysz in 2020, All Figure is a body-positive lingerie and swimwear boutique built on inclusivity, confidence, and care. Through personalized fittings and a welcoming environment, they’ve created a space where customers of all shapes and sizes feel supported, and it’s earned them a loyal community along the way.

Karina also participated in the Starter Company Plus program through the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre, gaining early support that helped lay the foundation for the business’s growth and resilience.

As we continue to celebrate the people and businesses shaping St. Catharines, including during milestones like , stories like this highlight the entrepreneurship, confidence, and community spirit driving our city forward.

A few weeks ago, our team had the chance to connect with Karina and Iwona alongside Mayor Mat Siscoe, hearing firsthand about their journey and the impact they continue to make in our community.

We’re just a couple of short weeks away from the unofficial launch of patio season here in St. Catharines ā˜€ļøšŸ½ļøA friendly...
05/11/2026

We’re just a couple of short weeks away from the unofficial launch of patio season here in St. Catharines ā˜€ļøšŸ½ļø

A friendly reminder for local businesses: the Temporary Patio Permit application process is now managed through the City’s Planning and Building Services department. If you’re planning to extend your patio this season, now is the time to get your application in.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/building-and-renovating/seasonal_commercial_patio_program.aspx

05/08/2026

A city isn’t built by structures alone; it’s built by people.

The first roots that were laid here, the generations that followed, the people who arrived with new cultures, new skills, and new dreams, all shaping St. Catharines over 150 years of change and growth.

We’ve adapted through shifts in the economy, and one thing has stayed consistent: people here are moving forward together.

That resilience shows up in every chapter of our story, and it still shows up today in how this city grows. Unwavering, across generations.



International Economic Development Council
Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)

The Tourism Partnership of Niagara has launched a new pilot with AccessNow to help Niagara tourism businesses become Acc...
05/07/2026

The Tourism Partnership of Niagara has launched a new pilot with AccessNow to help Niagara tourism businesses become AccessNow Verified, an accessibility verification program, with funding available for a limited number of participants.

Join the upcoming webinar on Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 PM to learn how your business can receive an expert accessibility assessment, practical tools, and increased visibility through the AccessNow app.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your business more inclusive and welcoming to all.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/accessnow-verified-pilot-program-webinar-tickets-1987925157660?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/06/2026

It started with a simple idea: give people the freedom to create, and the drive to build.

That mindset shaped how this city grew, turning ideas into industry, innovation into opportunity, and work into real, lasting impact.

That’s really what economic development is at its core: creating the conditions for growth and letting people build from there.

During Economic Development Week, we’re reflecting on how that same mindset has carried through generations here in St. Catharines.

The tools look different now, the approach has evolved, but the purpose behind it is the same: building what comes next.



International Economic Development Council
Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO)

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