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Welcome to the March edition of the Hamilton Economic Development Newsletter.  

Welcome Back Big Blue

IBM and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) recently announced a joint venture to help area hospital clinicians, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs accelerate the development and commercialization of new healthcare innovations via a new centre in downtown Hamilton.

The centre - with both a physical and virtual collaboration space - will give area healthcare providers, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs advanced technology tools and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes and put Hamilton on the map as a hub for healthcare innovation in Canada.

The target location for the centre is 100 King Street West. More than 300 HHS administrative staff will also move in to the same location in the Fall of 2016.
 
To learn more about this momentous investment in the downtown core, watch video on YouTube:
The World Visits Hamilton
 
In March, the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Office in conjunction with some of our community partners including McMaster University, McMaster Innovation Park, and Mohawk College, hosted a delegation from the Lead Generation and Client Account Management Unit (LGCAM) with the Province of Ontario along with International Investment Development Representatives (IIDR's ). This delegation visited Hamilton to gain a better understanding  of the communities and where there are opportunities for further investment. Highlights of the tour included stops at major investment areas in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, food processing, and ICT/Digital where participants had the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of Canada's most diversified economy. 
 
The IIDR's are contracted in-market representatives promoting investment in Ontario - they are based in the US, EU (UK, Germany and France) and Asia. This delegation actively seeks foreign direct investment opportunities for Ontario in the areas of advanced manufacturing, clean-tech, ICT, business services and the life sciences sectors.
Hamilton's Economy Gets National Attention  
 
In February of this year the Toronto Star undertook a national series examining local economies that were greatly reliant on one particular sector to drive the economy- namely oil. The Star focused on Fort McMurray, Alberta, Calgary, Alberta, and St. John's, Newfoundland, and how the declining price of oil has negatively affected the economies there. However, in the fourth and final installment of the national series, the Star decided to focus on an economy that was once greatly reliant on one particular sector, but now is thriving because of economic diversification. That economy was Hamilton's. Follow this link to learn more about the series, and the glowing national profile on Canada's most diversified economy, and the resurgence of Hamilton. 
   
Hamilton's Walters Group Receives National Accolade

Recently, Deloitte Canada named Walters Groupone of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2015 for excellence in business performance.
 
Now in their 60th year of operation, the Hamilton-based, family owned and managed business has developed a reputation for taking on complex commercial and industrial steelwork projects throughout North America.  As its business has evolved, so has its role in the Hamilton region as major employer and supporter of the Hamilton construction industry.
 
Some of the company's high profile projects include The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, The Bow Hi-Rise, Halifax Shipyards, and feature staircases in high-end retailers including Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger. (Walters Group Project list:  www.waltersgroupinc.com/projects/)
   
Applications Open for the 6th Annual LiON'S LAIR Competition!

Innovation Factory and The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that the LiON'S LAIR competition is back for another year, and applications have officially opened!

LiON'S LAIR has helped elevate a number of innovative companies over the past five years, awarding over $160,000 in prizing last year alone to help startup companies grow.

This year will mark the sixth annual competition. After preliminary judging of applications, 15 companies will be selected to go through LiON's LAIR pitch training workshops. Following that training, 10 start-ups will move on and face the Lions.

Applications close April 29, so don't delay in submitting yours! To help you prepare for the submission and competition, Innovation Factory is hosting an application workshop March 29, with past finalists in attendance speaking on their LiON'S LAIR experience. Register at innovationfactory.ca/LLWorkshop.

For more information, visit lionslair.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 
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Hamilton Economic Development | 71 Main Street West, 7th Floor | Hamilton | Ontario | L8P 4Y5 | Canada