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Good day!   

Welcome to the July 2012 edition of the Hamilton Economic Development Newsletter.  

Big and Small Investments Moving Downtown Hamilton Forward

Recently, Hamilton City Council approved a grant-loan package worth almost $10 million for a new Hilton Hotel on Bay Street between King Street and Main Street.  This is in addition to the Staybridge Suites Hotel that is being built on George Street and Caroline Street and will mean more than 300 new hotel rooms will be added to the room inventory in the downtown core by the Summer of 2013.

 

Plans also call for additional developments that will result in as many as 600 condo units and 20,000 square feet of retail space to the downtown.

 

As well, things have gotten a little more "green" on James Street North with the grand opening of the Green Smoothie Bar.  This investment from one of Hamilton's newest young professionals focuses on smoothies that are made from all natural/organic products; specializing on green ingredients such as kale and baby spinach.  Check them out by clicking here.

 

INVEST TV - James Street North Seeing Green

 
Hockey Night in Hamilton

Hamilton is getting a little more ice time in a few short months.  Developer Danny Trombetta recently announced a new private triple rinks investment in the Stoney Creek industrial park- a $25-million, 90,000 square foot project that includes a gymnasium, running track and full-serve restaurant.

 

The Gateway Ice Centre, the facility is located at Fruitland Road and South Service Road, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Way. Two of the three ice surfaces will be regulation NHL size, with the other being slightly smaller.  The main rink - with 12 change rooms - features 1,600 backed seats located in a bowl shape around the ice. The other two rinks each have seating for 400.

 

In addition to the three ice pads, the following features are scheduled to be part of Gateway Ice Centre:

* An 8,000-square-foot 5-Star Fitness and Nutrition Centre, with membership open to the public

* A Don Cherry's Sports Grill, with connecting outdoor patio, overlooking rink No. 1

* A three-lane rubberized wraparound running track over rink No. 2

* A fan friendly viewing area with 49-foot ceilings, two private boxes and an oversize press box

* A sport shop with skate sharpening.

 

INVEST TV: New Sport Investment in Stoney Creek 

 
 Young Entrepreneurs Wanted

If you are 18-34 years old, and have a business idea, contact the Hamilton SBEC for information on financing and mentoring through the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF).

 

CYBF is a national charity that provides start-up financing, business resources and mentoring to help young entrepreneurs start their own successful business. Since it's inception in 1996, over 5100 young entrepreneurs have received support. The program is offered all across Canada through a network of community partners like the Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre.

 

The Hamilton SBEC is proud to be a community partner with CYBF. As a community partner, the Hamilton SBEC is your point of contact for the CYBF program right up until the financing is approved. As a part of this, the SBEC offers pre-launch coaching and guidance on the application process. This includes guidance on market research, business planning and financial forecasting

 

To learn more about the CYBF Program, connect with the SBEC team at 905-540-6400 or [email protected]. You can also visit www.cybf.ca.

Thank you for reading!  Don't forget to connect with us via our social media tools for the latest updates in real time.  Have a story idea or feature for this e-newsletter?  Then email: [email protected] we're happy to take your suggestions!

For more information on these stories and more, visit us online at www.investinhamilton.ca.