Jun 30, 2025
Hamilton Celebrates Newcomer Day
On May 30th, the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, in collaboration with over 50 community organizations and a team of more than 30 volunteers, hosted Newcomer Day at Hamilton City Hall.
Newcomer Day is one of Hamilton’s unofficial summer kickoffs. The day included music, dancing, and cultural programming that celebrated the diversity of Hamilton’s people. Council Chambers hosted a citizenship ceremony that allowed the public to help celebrate a major milestone in the immigration journeys of 29 individuals.
Economic Development is honoured to have the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council as a vital part of the team, and to work toward building a more inclusive and vibrant Hamilton for all.
All the highlights can be accessed through HIPC’s Instagram.
Catalyzing Change With the Downtown Office Conversion Program
The City of Hamilton officially launched the new Downtown Hamilton Office Conversion Grant (DHOCG) Program. This exciting initiative supports the transformation of existing office buildings into residential or hotel spaces, contributing to a more dynamic and livable urban core.
Through the DHOCG, eligible applicants can access funding for both feasibility studies and construction costs. The program is focused on purpose-built office buildings located within Hamilton’s Central Business District.
Applicants could receive matching grants for eligible feasibility studies, up to a maximum of $20,000, and grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 per eligible unit or hotel room, up to a maximum of $200,000.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a city-building movement—one that combines innovation, sustainability, and smart growth.
Collaboration at the Bay Area Economic Summit
Hamilton Economic Development was proud to serve as a host sponsor of the 2025 Bay Area Economic Summit, where leaders from Hamilton and Burlington came together to explore shared priorities in housing, sustainability, and supply chain innovation.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath joined Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward for a fireside chat, emphasizing the Bay Area’s position as the 8th largest economy in Canada and the importance of regional collaboration.
Norm Schleehahn, Director of Economic Development for the City of Hamilton, moderated a panel on Sustainability Leadership, highlighting how sustainable business practices are attracting investment, enhancing competitiveness, and future-proofing industries. Key themes throughout the day included:
- Workforce upskilling to meet the needs of a green economy
- Reducing emissions in the built environment and the potential for greening construction jobs
- Aligning training with employer needs
- Leveraging procurement to support women-led and newcomer-owned businesses and bring new entrants into the marketplace
Special thanks to our event partners: the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Burlington for their collaboration in making this event a success.
Clear for Takeoff: Cutting the Ribbon on Renovations at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
Hamilton was cleared for takeoff on June 2, 2025, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of renovations at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
Vantage Group, which operates the Airport and signed a historic 49-year lease with the City of Hamilton in 2024, hailed the on-time and on-budget completion of the renovations as a fantastic success delivered in partnership with PCL and Stantec. Updates to the airport included enhancements to the check-in, baggage claim, and departure gate areas, all of which are expected to create a more efficient passenger experience.
With these renovations completed, the runway was clear for Porter Airlines to begin daily service from the airport, connecting Hamilton with Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, and Vancouver.
Mayor Andrea Horwath called the renovations and daily Porter Airlines passenger service a reflection of Hamilton’s growing momentum. The Mayor further commented, “As we welcome new air service and improved passenger amenities, we’re also opening doors to greater economic opportunity, tourism, and connectivity for Hamiltonians.”
Team Hamilton Attends Bio International
Staff from Hamilton Economic Development joined a powerhouse life science partnership in the Ontario Pavilion at the Bio International Convention.
Bio is the world’s largest and most comprehensive event for connecting the biotechnology ecosystem, and there is no better place to showcase the access to talent, innovation, and global markets that make Hamilton a leader in life sciences.
The extended team included the Synapse Life Sciences Consortium, AtomVie Global Radiopharma Inc., OmniaBIO Inc., Q-Reserve, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC), 20/20 OptiEyes, LaunchIt Solutions, and Gowling WLG.
The life sciences sector is one of the keys to Hamilton’s economic diversity, and events like Bio help showcase to the world that Hamilton is a city where collaboration drives progress and innovation spurs global opportunities.
June's Global Hamilton Round-up
Economic Development’s Global Hamilton Office focuses on investment attraction and trade, supporting the retention of international entrepreneurs and students who call Hamilton home. These efforts are part of a broad, collaborative knowledge-sharing network within the Hamilton business ecosystem. The Global Hamilton Round Up is an extension of that network, providing our readers with a snapshot of Canada-wide opportunities for export, trade missions, and talent.
Trade and Export Programs
- WEBINAR: July 17 | Setting up Shop: From Local to Global | Startup Global 2025
- WEBINAR SERIES: September 9 | Free Trade Agreements & Tariffs | MEDJCT
- PROGRAM: CanExport SMES | Offers up to $50,000 in funding to help Canadian small and medium sized businesses break into international markets | Trade Commissioner Service
- RESOURCE: Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges
- RESOURCE: Ontario Together Trade Fund
Talent Insights
- RESOURCE: Hamilton Employers Hires Immigrants Webpage
Trade Missions
- August 18: Cleantech in the GCC Region
- September 8-14: Ontario Automotive Export Business Mission to IAA Mobility 2025
- September 8-12: Ontario Technology Mission to 2025 SEMICON Taiwan
- September 10-12: Life Sciences Export Mission to Medical Fair Thailand
- October 28-23: Ontario ICT Export Business Mission to FUTURECOM 2025 in Brazil
Ontario Trade Mission Calendar
Canadian Trade Mission Calendar
Find a Trade Commissioner
Would you like to know more?
The Hamilton Economic Development Division serves Hamilton by facilitating sustainable economic and ecological development aligned with the 2022-2026 Council Priorities. This goal is achieved through the attraction of new businesses, the retention and expansion of existing businesses, and the creation of quality employment opportunities.
Economic Development serves established businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. For more information about starting or growing a business in Hamilton, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff through this link.